The Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) Asia 2025 highlight urgent initiatives to combat the rising tide of online scams that cost Southeast Asia an estimated US$23.6 billion last year.
Tan Kiat How, senior minister of State for the Singapore Ministry of Digital Development and Information, announced key measures aimed at bolstering regional cooperation against digital fraud.
A significant initiative is the commitment of GovTech Singapore to the Global Signal Exchange (GSE), making it the first government agency worldwide to exchange scam signals for disruption.
This innovative platform enables real-time tracking of over 400 million threats, allowing member organisations, including tech giants like Google and Meta, to share critical information swiftly.
"Online scams are not just a consumer inconvenience; they are a global security challenge undermining digital trust and economic resilience," stated Jorij Abraham, managing director of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA). "Criminal networks are moving faster than our protections, but it is possible to close the gap."
This sentiment underscores the necessity for collaborative efforts across sectors and borders.
The newly released “State of Scams in Southeast Asia 2025 Report” reveals alarming statistics: an average loss of US$660 per person, with Singaporeans facing the highest individual losses at US$2,132. The report highlights that 77% of Southeast Asian adults encountered a scam in the past year, stressing the urgency for effective preventative measures.
The GASA network is also expanding, with new operational chapters established in Indonesia and the Philippines.
Rajat Maheshwari, chairman of the GASA Singapore Chapter, emphasised the importance of collaboration: "Effective solutions cannot be developed in silos. Singapore has shown that with the right alignment between public and private sectors, we can make significant progress."
With scams evolving alongside technology, the summit serves as a critical platform for sharing insights and fostering a coordinated regional response to these pervasive threats.
The collaborative initiatives announced today point towards a more united front against online fraud in Southeast Asia, aiming to protect consumers and enhance digital security.
