Brussels, (Unib Rashid) — Participants at an international seminar held in the Belgian capital, Brussels, agreed that cybercrime has become a global challenge that can only be tackled through collective international efforts and enhanced cooperation.

The seminar, titled “Cybercrime without Borders: EU-Asia Cooperation Against Online Scam,” brought together delegates, diplomats and experts from 23 countries to discuss the growing threat of online fraud and cross-border cybercrime.

The event was jointly hosted by Independent Member of the European Parliament Ondrej Dostál of the Czech Republic and Brussels City Councillor Mohammad Nasir. The panel discussion featured Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Cai Run and Myanmar’s Chargé d’Affaires to the European Union, Dr. Khin Thidar Aye.

Opening the seminar, MEP Ondrej Dostál said it was an honour to welcome representatives from more than 23 countries—home to over half of the world’s population—to discuss one of today’s most pressing security challenges.

He stressed that cyber fraud is a global issue driven by modern technologies and the interconnected nature of the 21st century. He noted that addressing such challenges requires international cooperation rather than competition or conflict.

Dostál warned that cybercriminals exploit people’s hopes and emotions by promoting fraudulent schemes such as fake inheritances, exclusive investment opportunities and get-rich-quick scams. He emphasized the need to educate citizens, particularly young people, to distinguish truth from deception both online and in the broader geopolitical landscape.

Cybercrime Rising Sharply in Brussels

Co-host Mohammad Nasir, who also serves as a Police Advisor to the City of Brussels, presented findings from the 2024 Brussels Crime and Security Report, highlighting the alarming rise in cybercrime.

According to the report:

• Daily reported cybercrime cases in Brussels have increased from 10 in 2015 to 36 in 2024, representing a 350% increase.
• Internet fraud has risen by 359%, while computer fraud has increased by 174% since 2015.
• In 2024 alone, police registered 4,542 internet fraud cases and 8,581 computer fraud cases.
• Around 28% of Brussels residents experienced an attempted online scam, while 13% became actual victims.

Nasir said the real number of cybercrime incidents is likely much higher because many victims never report the crimes to the police.

AI Gives Criminals an Advantage

Nasir attributed the increase in cybercrime to outdated investigative systems and the lack of modern artificial intelligence tools available to law enforcement.

He explained that criminals increasingly use AI to generate convincing fake payment receipts and conduct sophisticated online scams targeting victims anywhere in the world, while police face legal restrictions on using AI-based facial recognition technologies.

Sharing his own experience, Nasir revealed that he had personally fallen victim to cybercrime three times over the past three years.

He also described a recent incident in which fraudsters used a fake mobile payment receipt worth €70 to obtain goods from his shop before fleeing.

Nasir emphasized that cybercrime cannot be fought effectively by individual countries alone. Instead, governments, law enforcement agencies and international institutions must strengthen information sharing and cooperation across borders.

He praised MEP Ondrej Dostál for organizing the conference and bringing international attention to the growing cybercrime threat.

“Cybercrime does not stop at national borders,” Nasir said. “If we improve public awareness, encourage timely reporting, adopt modern technologies and strengthen cooperation between Europe and Asia, we can build a safer digital future.”

International Cooperation Essential

During the panel discussion, Chinese Ambassador Cai Run and Myanmar’s Chargé d’Affaires to the European Union, Dr. Khin Thidar Aye, echoed the view that cybercrime is an international challenge rather than a regional one.

They noted that the masterminds behind online scams often operate from countries other than where the crimes are committed, making international cooperation essential.

The speakers further observed that elderly citizens, students and single-parent families are among the most frequent targets of cybercriminals. They stressed that increasing public awareness and digital literacy remains one of the most effective ways to reduce cyber fraud.