ASEAN Foundation Launches “Scam Ready ASEAN” to Combat Rising Online Fraud Across Southeast Asia

The ASEAN Foundation has officially launched a new regional initiative, Scam Ready ASEAN, aimed at strengthening public awareness and prevention against the growing threat of online scams across Southeast Asia.

The programme was unveiled at the Google 2026 Online Safety Dialogue in Kuala Lumpur, a regional forum bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and cybersecurity experts to address the escalating risks of online fraud.

Supported by Google.org with USD 5 million in funding, the initiative aims to build scam resilience among 3 million people across ASEAN, making it one of the region’s largest coordinated digital safety efforts to date.

Tackling a Growing Regional Threat

Online scams have become one of the fastest-growing cyber threats in Southeast Asia, affecting individuals and businesses across borders. According to regional estimates, USD 23.6 billion was lost to online scams in 2024 alone.

In Singapore, the issue remains especially severe. The Singapore Police Force recorded 37,308 scam cases in 2025, with total financial losses reaching approximately SGD 913.1 million, underscoring the continued urgency of anti-scam efforts.

Common scam types include impersonation scams, investment fraud, phishing, job scams, and e-commerce fraud, often carried out through messaging apps, digital payment platforms, and online marketplaces.

Authorities across the region have increasingly strengthened enforcement, public education, and cross-sector cooperation with banks and telecom providers to combat these threats.

Building Scam Resilience Across ASEAN

Scam Ready ASEAN aims to equip communities with the knowledge and digital confidence needed to identify and avoid scams in an increasingly complex online environment shaped by generative AI, social media, and digital payments.

The programme will partner with 20 local organisations across 11 ASEAN member states, rolling out a large-scale Train-the-Trainer model designed to maximise reach at the community level.

Key components include:

• Training 2,000 Master Trainers
• Reaching at least 550,000 beneficiaries
• Deployment of interactive tools such as the Be Scam Ready game
• Localised awareness campaigns across member countries
• Six national and three regional policy dialogues

Strengthening Regional Cooperation

The initiative builds on ASEAN’s broader efforts to combat cyber fraud, including the establishment of the ASEAN Anti-Scam Working Group, formed during the 4th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting in 2024 to improve coordination between national anti-scam centres.

Scam Ready ASEAN translates these policy-level commitments into a long-term, community-driven programme that brings together governments, private sector players, civil society, and local communities.

Official Launch in Kuala Lumpur

The programme was officially launched following a high-level policy dialogue involving stakeholders from digital, financial, and consumer protection sectors, alongside banking and technology representatives.

The launch was officiated by:

• H.E. Dato’ Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications of Malaysia
• H.E. Ambassador Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, Chair of the ASEAN Foundation Board of Trustees and Malaysia’s Permanent Representative to ASEAN
• H.E. Amb. Evangeline T. Ong Jimenez-Ducrocq, Philippines Permanent Representative to ASEAN
• Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation
• Ram Papatla, Managing Director, Trust & Safety, Google APAC