The #KnowScam Silent Comic Contest invites artists aged 18 years and older residing in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, and Malaysia to join.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has launched a new initiative to raise awareness about the growing threat of online scams in South East Asia.
The contest aims to raise awareness about the dangers of online scams, including romance, phishing, and identity theft. With the rise of the internet and social media, it’s easier than ever for criminals to steal personal information, leaving individuals at risk of losing money, damaging their credit history, and even facing criminal charges.
In South East Asia, job scams have enticed thousands of individuals through social media advertisements that promised well-paying positions in countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Once these people accepted these jobs, they were made to work up to 18 hours a day to deceive individuals worldwide through the internet.
According to a report from Human Rights Watch, the perpetrators targeted skilled and tech-savvy individuals who lost their jobs during the pandemic and were desperate. Despite the severity of the situation caused by these fraudulent “call centers,” the response from national authorities falls short. Victims are frequently perceived as perpetrators instead of being recognized as victims of human trafficking.
The #KnowScam contest challenges artists to create visually engaging and educational silent comics to illustrate the dangers of online scams and encourage others to join the movement. The winning comic will be showcased in a public exhibition and shared on UNODC’s social media channels, and the winner will receive a cash prize.
Artists can submit their entries until 10 March by visiting the contest’s website at https://www.knowscam.asia/. To get involved spread the word and submit your silent comic today to help make the online world safer.
