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.

The following type of exchange crops up very often in recent cases of these new types of transnational crime: "Late at night, just as I was thinking of my loved one, who works abroad, I got an SMS from her.

She said her job was wonderful and easygoing and hoped I could join her there.

She said that together, we could work toward a better future." Does this sound familiar?

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 lets 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 environment, friendly people, and advanced economy and healthcare system.

Taiwan's overall quality of life also ranked second globally, surpassing countries like the United States, Australia, and Thailand. Similarly, the United Nations 2023 World Happiness Report, which measures happiness in 137 countries, ranked Taiwan fourth in Asia.

Furthermore, according to 2023 safety and crime rankings by the database website Numbeo, out of 142 countries, Taiwan ranked third for safety and had the third-lowest crime rate of all countries evaluated — better than all other Asian countries.

Acknowledging Taiwan's consistent efforts, for 14 consecutive years, the US Department of State has ranked Taiwan as a Tier 1 country for combating human trafficking among over 180 countries and regions worldwide.

The US government has also stated that despite the impact of the pandemic, Taiwan has continued to work hand-in-hand with the private sector to combat human trafficking and overcome various challenges.

However, Taiwan is not resting on its laurels. Given the escalating risks caused by new types of transnational crime, Taiwan is continuing to surmount its own outstanding track record of public security.

By participating in INTERPOL and working in collaboration with global police authorities, we can all fight transnational crime together.

(To be continued)

(Chou Yew-woei is the Commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, Republic of China [Taiwan].)