The ASEAN Foundation started a region-wide anti-scam program called “Scam Ready ASEAN,” backed by $5 million from Google.org, to help three million people spot and avoid online fraud across Southeast Asia (SEA).
The program was introduced during the Google 2026 Online Safety Dialogue in Kuala Lumpur, where policymakers, tech firms, and safety experts discussed the sharp increase in scams. The SEA region lost an estimated $23.6 billion to online scams in 2024 alone, making fraud one of the region’s fastest-growing digital risks.
“Scams today are no longer isolated incidents. They affect people across borders and sectors,” said Dr. Piti Srisangnam, executive director of the ASEAN Foundation. “This program shifts the focus from reacting to scams to preventing them, so people can feel safer online.”
Scam Ready ASEAN will work with 20 local organizations across 11 ASEAN countries. It plans to train 2,000 “master trainers” who will teach communities how to identify scams such as phishing, impersonation, fake job offers, and online selling fraud.
By focusing on training, awareness, and cross-sector coordination, the initiative aims to reduce financial losses and rebuild trust in Southeast Asia’s fast-growing digital economy.
The initiative includes structured learning modules and tools like an interactive “Be Scam Ready” game, targeting at least 550,000 direct beneficiaries. Wider awareness campaigns and policy dialogues are also planned to expand its reach.
“The region’s digital growth depends on trust,” said Sapna Chadha, vice president, Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier, Google Asia Pacific. “We are improving platform security while supporting programs that teach people how to protect themselves online.”
Data from the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group shows continued arrests of scammers and money mules in early 2026, pointing to the scale of the problem.
Common scams include phishing messages, fake identities, and fraudulent online selling. Authorities have warned that criminals are using more advanced tactics, including coordinated campaigns and digital platforms to target victims.
The Philippine government has stepped up efforts through tighter coordination among agencies, public awareness drives, and closer work with banks and telecom companies.
At the ASEAN level, governments are strengthening cooperation through the ASEAN Anti-Scam Working Group, created during the 2024 ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting. The new program builds on that effort by turning policy into large-scale community action.
Scam Ready ASEAN also brings together governments, tech firms, banks, and civil society groups to improve how scams are detected and prevented across borders.
With the increased adoption of artificial intelligence, digital payments, and social media, scams are becoming harder to detect and are now affecting all age groups, including first-time internet users.