BRICS countries have expressed serious concern over organised cross-border fraud and the growing use of digital technologies and payment systems to target vulnerable individuals.
The New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit called for stronger international coordination to tackle such crimes, with particular emphasis on preventing fraud involving cross-border payment systems and strengthening digital financial security.
Proposal for Conducting Cyber Crisis Drill, Tabletop Exercise (TTEx) & CCMP Readiness Exercise
What Did BRICS Say About Cyber Fraud?
The declaration noted that organised cross-border fraud networks are increasingly exploiting digital technologies and financial systems.
Such networks can target vulnerable individuals on a large scale, creating complex challenges for law-enforcement agencies and financial institutions.
BRICS countries stressed the need for greater cooperation to dismantle these networks, trace and recover proceeds generated through criminal activities and protect victims.
Why Are Cross-Border Payments a Concern?
The declaration called for enhanced cooperation to strengthen digital financial security, including measures aimed at preventing fraud involving cross-border payment systems.
Cybercriminals can operate from one country while targeting individuals, businesses or financial institutions in another.
Fraud proceeds can also move through different financial channels and jurisdictions, complicating efforts to identify those involved and recover the money.
How Will Countries Target Fraud Networks?
BRICS countries called for collective action against organised international fraud networks and greater cooperation in tracing and recovering illicit proceeds.
The international nature of such operations can make investigations difficult when people, digital infrastructure and financial transactions are spread across different countries.
Closer coordination can help authorities follow financial trails and identify participants operating across jurisdictions.
What About Cybercrime Victims?
Protecting victims was also highlighted as part of the coordinated response to organised cross-border fraud.
The growing cybercrime ecosystem can include networks accused of coercing or exploiting people to participate in fraudulent operations.
The declaration’s emphasis on dismantling networks and recovering criminal proceeds places both prevention and victim protection within the broader international response.
Will BRICS Hold Cyber Drills?
BRICS countries emphasised collective and coordinated approaches to improving cyber resilience in the financial sector.
The declaration highlighted BRICS-wide cyber exercises and drills, along with mutual learning and practical cooperation.
Such initiatives could allow member countries to share experiences and strengthen their capabilities for responding to cyberattacks and digital financial fraud.
What Did BRICS Say About AI?
The declaration also outlined a common approach towards artificial intelligence.
Member countries stressed the importance of fair and equitable access to frontier AI while ensuring that technologies and resources remain safe, secure, reliable and inclusive.
They also recognised AI as a technology capable of creating significant opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development.
Why Does International Cooperation Matter?
Cyber and financial fraud increasingly extend beyond the jurisdiction of a single country. Criminal networks can exploit digital payments, bank accounts and other financial mechanisms across borders to move fraud proceeds rapidly.
Timely information sharing and practical coordination between countries can therefore play an important role in identifying suspicious transactions, tracing money and uncovering wider networks.
The New Delhi Declaration reflects BRICS countries’ recognition that combating organised cross-border fraud will require cooperation between investigative agencies, financial institutions and technology experts.
Its focus on payment security, cyber exercises, recovery of illicit proceeds and international coordination underlines the increasingly global nature of digital financial crime.
Cyber Fraud Needs a Borderless Response
The message from the declaration is clear: cyber fraud may begin in one country, target victims in another and move stolen money through several jurisdictions. No country can effectively tackle such networks alone. Faster information sharing, stronger payment security and coordinated investigations will be crucial if international fraud networks are to be disrupted and stolen funds traced and recovered.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
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