Online fraud centers, known as "scam centers", have transformed into a global business valued at 55 billion euros, spreading across six continents. These operations, which at first glance may look like military installations, frequently operate in regions affected by civil wars and armed conflicts, camouflaged behind walls and tight security measures.
The business model of these centers is based on the exploitation of forced labor, with thousands of people reduced to a modern form of slavery. Workers are often lured with promises of well-paying jobs only to end up trapped, working under coercion to deceive victims worldwide through phishing schemes, romance frauds and other forms of digital scams.
Cryptocurrencies play a central role in these operations, allowing money to be moved in a decentralized and hard-to-trace manner. Guerrillas and armed groups in various regions of the world have used these centers as a source of funding, benefiting from the structure and labor force available in conflict zones where state control is limited.
The phenomenon represents one of the greatest digital threats globally, with direct impact on millions of victims who lose savings and personal data to organized networks operating at industrial scale. International authorities face difficulties in combating this industry due to its cross-border nature and the constant adaptability of the operators.
