ASEAN Foundation, an organisation from and for the people of Southeast Asia, has unveiled a critical regional anti-scam initiative, backed by US$5 million in funding from Google.org.
This is in response to the significant surge in sophisticated scams and fraud faced by Singapore, a pivotal hub in the region’s rapidly expanding digital economy. In 2023 alone, scam-related losses in Singapore reached at least US$482.3 million (SGD 651.8 million). Furthermore, the city-state recorded 46,563 reported scam cases, representing a substantial 46.8 per cent increase from the previous year, according to the Sentencing Advisory Panel of Singapore.
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The announcement at the Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) Asia 2025 in Singapore marks a concerted effort to fortify community resilience against digital deception across all ten ASEAN Member States, including Singapore and Timor-Leste.
With the region’s digital economy projected to soar to US$1 trillion by 2030, this initiative represents a critical stride towards building a safe and secure digital future for all. The programme is designed to deliver solutions directly to people in their everyday environments: classrooms, community halls, online spaces, and living rooms. By offering tailored training and tools that reflect each country’s unique culture, language, and real-world scam scenarios, the objective is straightforward: to equip individuals with the skills, confidence, and support necessary to protect themselves and their loved ones.
The programme is set to expand access to scam prevention resources for over 3 million people across the region. A core component includes “Be Scam Ready,” an educational game developed by Google, designed to build critical scam-spotting skills based on inoculation theory.
Crucially, the initiative will provide in-depth training for 550,000 individuals, delivered by a substantial network of 2,000 master trainers. These trainers will mobilise youth, parents, educators, and elderly citizens to establish them as the first line of defence against online scams.
This collaborative effort aligns strategically with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, which prioritises enhancing regional digital resilience, and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, which advocates for a secure, people-centred digital future.
While the situation remains concerning, Singapore has already implemented robust measures to combat scams, including the formation of the Anti-Scam Command (ASCom), the launch of the ScamShield app, and a shared liability framework involving financial and telecommunications companies. Additionally, the government has enacted laws empowering police to freeze bank accounts to prevent further financial losses.
Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of the ASEAN Foundation, emphasised the profound impact of these crimes. “Scams don’t just steal money; they steal trust, dignity, and opportunity,” he stated. “Through this programme, we aim to empower communities across ASEAN and Timor-Leste with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to outsmart scammers. This is not just about prevention; it’s about protecting the very fabric of our societies in the digital era.”
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Wilson White, Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google Asia Pacific, highlighted the scale of the challenge. “Scams are a critical challenge across Southeast Asia, where the region has faced significant financial losses,” he noted.
“We believe the best way to effectively tackle this complex, cross-border problem is through a whole-of-society approach. By bringing together governments, industry, and civil society, this initiative will empower communities and build long-term digital resilience, helping to create a safer, more trusted online environment for millions across the region,” White added.
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