We have all gotten scam calls, but what do we know about the people calling us? Many are out to swindle us of our money, but some are also victims themselves, forced to choose between being tortured and committing a crime, over and over again. CNA Correspondent reveals those on the other end of the scam call, the ones who have been freed from Myanmar’s notorious scam compounds, and how authorities distinguish between real victims and the crime syndicate operators hiding amongst them.
Busan is South Korea’s second biggest city, with more than 3 million inhabitants. Rising to prominence as an industrial powerhouse, it is now a popular tourist destination. But there are signs the port city could cease to exist, with South Korea’s economy largely centred around the capital Seoul.
Busan has lost about 600,000 people over the past three decades. Its youth are leaving for Seoul, as traditional sectors such as shipbuilding decline. The rise of Incheon in the Seoul Metropolitan Area is further intensifying Busan’s challenge to attract young workers.
As Busan falters, some Koreans are taking it upon themselves to revitalise their hometown. Authorities are pumping in funds - trying to create jobs, support startups and attract businesses.
The worsening economic climate is also prompting a slow reversal, with some Busan natives moving back from Seoul, citing lower costs and a better quality of life.
Is there a chance for Busan to turn the tide, or will its lights go out for good?
Can you make money out of model kits? It's a hobby that starts with small parts in a box. But one young Hongkonger is turning these playthings into a business and a brand.
Singapore has banned deepfakes of political candidates during the upcoming General Elections. But why have this law now? Is it really that hard to spot a fake? To find out, host Steven Chia travels to the U.S.A – a global leader in AI technology to find out how advanced deepfakes have become. And he sees how the technology can also be used to benefit election campaigns. On the home front, he tests Singaporeans on their ability to detect a deepfake of their own politician.
Six months after 17-year-old Chinese student Kai Zhuang arrived in the United States, he disappeared. His family in China received a series of ransom demands, alongside a photo of him in distress.
Four months prior, a 22-year-old Chinese female student was reported missing in Australia. Kidnappers sent photos of her bound and bloodied, with threats made against her life via social media platforms. She was found within 24 hours in a hotel room, alone and unharmed.
Across the globe, a disturbing trend has emerged in cyber scams – cyber kidnapping. Unlike traditional kidnappings where physical abduction occurs, cyber kidnapping leverage digital means to extort financial gains. Unravelling the trail of digital extortion, we uncover why Chinese students have become easy targets and how cyber criminals employ sophisticated tactics to coerce people to stage their own kidnaps.