13 March 2025
Across ASEAN Member States (“AMS”), calls and SMS are one of the most prevalent vectors for scams targeting consumers and businesses, accounting for up to 80% of reported scam cases in some member states. Scams contribute to severe financial losses, with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (“GASA”) estimating that total scam losses across the region amounted to USD23.6 billion in 2024.
This rapidly escalating crisis demands a unified regional response. While national efforts to combat scam calls and SMS are essential, they are insufficient to keep pace with the scale, speed, and cross-border nature of modern scam operations.
Against this backdrop, We supported IMDA Sinagpore to develop the ASEAN Guide on Anti-Scam Policies and Best Practices. Its purpose is to empower governments and telecommunications industry players across ASEAN to develop and implement effective, coordinated measures to robustly combat scam calls and SMS.
The Guide was presented to ASEAN Member States in January 2026 and can be downloaded below.