Research on China-Laos Cooperation to Combating Cross-Border Telecom Network Fraud

Telecom network fraud has arisen as a significant transnational crime impacting China and Laos, capitalizing on legal, jurisdictional, and technical discrepancies between the two nations. This paper analyzes the collaborative initiatives between China and Laos to address cross-border telecom network fraud, highlighting significant joint operations carried out from 2016 to 2024. The magnitude of telecom network fraud is shown by the extradition of over 2,500 criminals from Laos to China, which has averted millions of dollars in financial damages via collaborative law enforcement initiatives. The study analyzes significant hurdles, including jurisdictional limitations, technology inadequacies, and political factors that influence the effectiveness of joint operations. This paper proposes improved strategies for real-time digital evidence-sharing, the formation of joint task forces, enhanced financial intelligence monitoring, and expedited extradition processes through the analysis of case studies and ongoing collaborative efforts. By enhancing technological capabilities, offering training, and bolstering political support, China and Laos can establish a more robust framework for addressing telecom network fraud and ensuring regional security.