Jointly combating new forms of transnational crime

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people lost their jobs because of the lockdowns and have been desperately looking for financial support. So if a tempting job opportunity came knocking, it would naturally be hard to resist. The harsh reality for those traveling overseas for work, however, is that they risk falling victim to human trafficking, a new form of transnational crime that is preying on people around the world.

Fraud is a crime with a long history. It emerged in parallel with the advent of human language and the development of human civilization. In modern times, with the advancement of information and communications technology, this age-old crime is gaining new dimensions and posing an incalculable threat to global security. As Interpol secretary-general Jürgen Stock has said, the need for solid international police cooperation is more vital than ever in order to deal with new forms of transnational crime such as human trafficking and fraud.

Criminal organizations are now operating under highly organized corporate-style models that are based on sophisticated divisions of labor, information exchange, peer learning and collusion and complicity. To combat transnational crime, law enforcement officers from around the world must unite and come together.

The world should not exclude Taiwan, as this is letting criminals have their way. Instead, in line with the founding purpose of Interpol – to ensure and promote the widest possible mutual assistance between all criminal police authorities – Taiwan’s police authorities are taking the initiative of engaging with their counterparts around the world to fight crime. Their aim is to close the gap in the global security network and work toward a safer world.

With an outstanding track record of public security, Taiwan must be included in efforts to combat transnational crime.

As the world’s 21st-largest economy and 17th-largest exporter, Taiwan serves as a pivotal link between Northeast and Southeast Asia and as a hub for the flow of people, goods and capital. According to the Expat Insider’s 2023 annual survey, Taiwan was the fifth-best country for expats, thanks to its beautiful natural