BRICS countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation against organised digital fraud and cross-border “scam compound” networks, while also pushing for broader international rules on artificial intelligence.
The New Delhi Declaration expressed serious concern over organised networks targeting people through fake investment platforms, romance scams and fraudulent job offers. Member countries called for stronger coordination among investigating agencies, financial intelligence units, tax authorities, telecom companies and technology platforms.
What Are Scam Compounds?
The declaration highlighted organised cybercrime networks that target victims across borders through digital platforms and payment systems.
Such networks can use fake investment schemes, romance scams and fraudulent job offers to deceive victims and move the proceeds through multiple financial channels.
Because these operations often span several countries, investigations can become difficult without faster information-sharing and cooperation.
How Will BRICS Fight Fraud?
BRICS leaders called for better coordination among customs authorities, financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, tax authorities and supervisory bodies.
Telecommunications companies and technology platforms were also encouraged to share information and use data analytics to identify suspicious transactions and money-laundering networks at an early stage.
The aim is to detect and disrupt organised fraud networks before stolen funds are moved further.
What About Cross-Border Payments?
The declaration backed stronger measures to prevent fraud involving cross-border payment systems.
It also supported annual cybersecurity exercises and welcomed the establishment of the BRICS Central Bank Hub to strengthen cybersecurity capacity in the financial sector.
However, the proposed cooperation is largely a political commitment and does not yet create a binding enforcement mechanism among member countries.
Proposal for Conducting Cyber Crisis Drill, Tabletop Exercise (TTEx) & CCMP Readiness Exercise
Is There a Clear Action Plan?
Cybersecurity expert and IIIT Hyderabad director Sandeep K Shukla said the declaration has clearly identified challenges including scam compounds in Southeast Asia, cross-border cybercrime and financial fraud.
He said it recognises the need for cooperation among computer emergency response teams, financial intelligence units and law enforcement agencies, but does not yet provide a concrete and binding roadmap for implementation.
Differences in privacy laws and restrictions on sharing personally identifiable information could also complicate cross-border investigations.
What Did BRICS Say About AI?
Artificial intelligence featured prominently in the declaration.
BRICS leaders committed to implementing the BRICS Leaders’ Statement on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence and described AI as an important opportunity for economic growth, particularly for developing economies.
At the same time, they stressed that AI systems should be safe, reliable and energy-efficient.
Will the Global South Get Equal Access?
The declaration said countries of the Global South should not be left behind as AI development accelerates.
BRICS called for a just, fair and equitable global AI system that provides opportunities for all countries.
As AI expands into sectors such as finance, tourism and energy, the declaration also called for closer assessment of both its risks and potential benefits.
What New Risks Did BRICS Flag?
The financial sector was identified as an area requiring close monitoring as AI and quantum computing continue to develop.
The declaration also raised concerns over intellectual property and cultural heritage in AI training data.
It warned that knowledge belonging to communities poorly represented in existing datasets could be misrepresented or used without appropriate rights and safeguards.
The420 Takeaway: Cooperation Must Move Beyond Words
The declaration shows that BRICS countries recognise how quickly cyber fraud, scam compounds and AI-related risks are becoming international problems. The real test, however, will be whether information-sharing, cyber exercises and cooperation between agencies translate into faster investigations, stronger payment security and meaningful action against cross-border fraud networks.
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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