Harnessing the digital market has brought numerous advantages in today’s world. However, the rise of illegal and dubious activities accompanies increased connectivity, leading to a new wave of crime that the Pacific region often struggles to address effectively.
A recent report titled “Transnational Organised Crime in the Pacific: Expansion, Challenges and Impact,” prepared by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and released last week, outlines several alarming trends. Among these are diverse cybercrimes such as child sex tourism and romance scams that utilize social media platforms.
The report notes, “While not at the same rate as the rest of the world, smartphone adoption, internet availability and affordability is well documented to be increasing within the Pacific.” However, as these crimes grow more complex, they often exceed the experience levels of local law enforcement agencies, prompting a need for governmental support to enhance their skills in navigating the ever-evolving cybercrime landscape.
Child sex tourism, a situation exacerbated by the Pacific’s appeal as a tourist destination, remains a significant concern. The UNODC reports that these activities are facilitated online, with international perpetrators maintaining communication with intermediaries like parents through the internet. In Fiji, research has revealed that child sexual exploitation is not only prevalent in illegal brothels but also in local hotels and yachts. Furthermore, human traffickers utilize websites and mobile applications to advertise these illicit services.
The report highlights that cyber-enabled crimes in the Pacific extend beyond financial scams, impacting children through Online-facilitated Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA), which includes the creation and dissemination of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). The potential for children to be groomed and abused online is alarming, with a pronounced lack of awareness among parents about these risks being a significant contributing factor.
Another concerning issue outlined in the report is the prevalence of invisible criminals who often escape justice while targeting vulnerable individuals. The UNODC indicates that in Fiji and Papua New Guinea, Facebook users typically own more smartphones than computers, isolating them from digital safety nets and making them easier targets for international criminals engaged in scams such as romance fraud and extortion.
The region has also seen a rise in cyberattacks on national infrastructure, including notable incidents such as the cyberattacks on Papua New Guinea’s Supreme Court in 2019 and the 2021 breaches involving government payment systems in the same country, as well as Fiji’s GovNet system.
The frequent occurrence of cyberattacks is compounded by the region’s lack of effective reporting mechanisms and the existing cyber awareness gap. The UNODC emphasizes the importance of developing national policies and strategies to combat these threats, although progress varies across different nations in the Pacific.
Concerns extend to cryptocurrency-related crimes, with the rapid evolution of technology outpacing the ability of financial and law enforcement agencies to regulate it effectively. The unpredictable nature of virtual assets, coupled with limited educational resources in the Pacific Islands, leaves individuals vulnerable to economic risks associated with cryptocurrency.
Fiji’s Cybercrime Act 2021 and Online Safety Act 2018 have been identified as important legislative frameworks in the fight against cybercrime. Although some Melanesian countries have established national cybercrime laws, the report highlights that social stigma surrounding sexual offenses can hinder victims from reporting crimes, exacerbating the issue of OCSEA in the Pacific.
To counter these challenges, the report calls for improved data collection methods to aid governments and law enforcement in addressing these evolving criminal activities effectively.