BRICS Leaders Vow Crackdown on Scam Compounds and Digital Fraud

Source: Hindustan Times | Original Published At: 2026-09-14 02:21:10 UTC

Key Points

• The New Delhi Declaration, adopted by BRICS’ 11 member countries, expressed serious concern over organised scam networks and cross-border “scam compounds” that exploit digital technologies, payment systems and vulnerable individuals.
• The declaration calls for stronger cooperation among customs authorities, financial intelligence units, law enforcement, tax authorities and supervisory bodies, with telecom providers and technology platforms asked to improve information-sharing and use data analytics.
• BRICS leaders reiterated that there is “no one-size-fits-all approach” to settling trade in local currencies, signalling that efforts to reduce reliance on the US dollar remain early and exploratory.
• The declaration welcomed a BRICS Central Bank Hub for capacity building and endorsed annual cybersecurity exercises to strengthen financial-sector resilience and prevent fraud in cross-border payment systems.
• AI was featured prominently, with leaders committing to implement the BRICS Leaders’ Statement on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence, building on India’s AI Impact Summit and the World AI Conference in Shanghai.
• The declaration frames AI as an economic growth opportunity for developing economies while emphasizing safety, reliability, energy efficiency and ensuring Global South countries are not left behind.
• It also raised concerns that AI training data and models risk misappropriating or misrepresenting cultural knowledge and heritage from inadequately represented communities.