November 22, 2025 | 11:34 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The British Ambassador to ASEAN, Helen Fazey, underscored the UK government's commitment to supporting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in addressing online scams and the proliferation of digital criminal activities in the region.
Fazey highlighted that cross-border fraud has become a grave threat, impacting numerous people in the region who are either deceived or forced to work in scam centers. She noted that online fraud is a shared issue for ASEAN member countries and there is a strong political will to tackle it. Fazey also pointed out the wider impact, stressing that UK citizens are also falling victim to these same online scams.
Strengthening ASEAN-UK Cooperation
Fazey explained that the UK has begun participating in the ASEAN Working Group on Transnational Crime, which focuses on cyber fraud, human trafficking, and digital exploitation. This engagement allows for closer coordination with ASEAN countries in addressing cross-border digital crimes.
She added that criminal operations in scam centers have evolved alongside advancements in FinTech, cross-border digital transactions, and the widespread use of messaging applications. Since many individuals in Southeast Asia are being forced to work in these scam centers as part of transnational criminal networks, she emphasized that it is a problem that cannot be handled by one country alone.
"There is political commitment at the ASEAN level to address this," Fazey affirmed.
UK's Program in ASEAN
The UK is currently developing a structured program to strengthen the capacities of ASEAN countries in combating online fraud. The program includes several key initiatives: digital investigation training, development of cyber police capabilities, support for victims forced to work in scam centers, and enhancement of digital financial forensic capabilities.
Fazey noted that this program is being developed in collaboration with Malaysia as a sponsor, acknowledging the country's role in the region's cybersecurity policy. The program is being finalized and is targeted for inclusion in the next UK-ASEAN Action Plan.
Fazey stated that the UK's goal is not only to prosecute perpetrators but also to strengthen the resilience of ASEAN countries so that people do not become victims, whether as unsuspecting users or as exploited workers.
These UK efforts align with the agreement reached by ASEAN countries in the 19th Declaration of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) in September. The declaration formally recognized the escalating cybercrime and online fraud, which have evolved into organized cross-border crimes that fuel identity theft, financial fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking, online gambling, and human trafficking.
Editor’s Choice: UK Prioritizes Clean Energy and Multilateralism in Its ASEAN Agenda
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Immigration to Deport 27 Chinese Nationals Involved in Scam
3 hari lalu
According to Immigration authorities, the perpetrators utilized a sophisticated setup, installing a backdrop resembling a Chinese police office.
APEC Summit: Indonesia's Prabowo Urges Cooperation in Cross-Border Crimes Crackdown
21 hari lalu
Prabowo stated that smuggling, money laundering, human trafficking, and narcotics can disrupt the regional economic stability.
India to Repatriate 500 Citizens from Thailand After Myanmar Scam Hub Raid
23 hari lalu
India will repatriate 500 of its citizens from Thailand following a raid by the Myanmar military on a notorious scam hub within its territory.
Who Is Chen Zhi, the Cambodian Tycoon Accused of Profiting from Human Trafficking?
25 hari lalu
A prominent Cambodian tycoon, Chen Zhi, is in the spotlight after the US government accused him of masterminding a large-scale cryptocurrency fraud involving forced labor camps. Who is he?
OJK Says It Saved Rp376 Million from Scam
33 hari lalu
The Financial Services Authority (OJK) in Indonesia stated that they successfully saved money from scams amounting to Rp376.8 billion.
Public Losses from Financial Scams Reach Rp7 Trillion, OJK Reports
33 hari lalu
As of October 16, 2025, OJK recorded 299,237 received reports and 487,378 reported accounts.
Cambodia Deports 59 South Koreans Over Online Scam Scheme
35 hari lalu
The governments of Cambodia and South Korea are collaborating to repatriate dozens of South Koreans who were caught up in an online fraud scheme.
South Korean President Orders Removal of Cambodia Job Ads
35 hari lalu
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Thursday ordered the removal of job advertisements related to online fraud in Cambodia.
OJK to Sanction Scammers, Restricting Employment Opportunities
22 Agustus 2025
Indonesia's OJK stated that scammers will automatically be unable to open an account or use banking services.
Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Uncover ATM Card Swap Scam
21 Agustus 2025
The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police has arrested one of three members of a fraud syndicate using ATM card swap method
