October 26, 2025 | 10:06 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Sugiono, emphasized the need for cross-sectoral cooperation within ASEAN to address growing regional security challenges, particularly transnational crimes such as cybercrime and online fraud.
"As our region becomes increasingly interconnected and dynamic, we must strengthen our capacity to address multidimensional challenges, including transnational crimes," Sugiono said at the 30th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, as reported by Antara.
Sugiono urged the APSC to coordinate closely with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) to produce comprehensive measures against emerging threats.
He proposed interface meetings between sectoral bodies and greater collaboration within the APSC to tackle these issues effectively.
What Initiatives Is Indonesia Leading?
The Indonesian Foreign Minister outlined two major initiatives aimed at enhancing ASEAN’s readiness:
Police Cooperation Dialogue Forum for Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters – scheduled for October 27-29, 2025.
Simulation-Based Discussion on ASEAN Preparedness in Protecting Nationals Abroad – set for December 4-5, 2025.
Both events will be hosted in Bali and focus on improving regional cooperation against cybercrime and online fraud, which threaten security, the economy, and social resilience.
Sugiono also highlighted the success of the APSC Blueprint 2025, which has achieved a 99.6 percent implementation rate, contributing to a peaceful, secure, and stable Southeast Asia.
Additionally, he welcomed the ASEAN Declaration on Cybercrime and Online Fraud Eradication, adopted last September, and noted its timeliness ahead of the UN Convention against Cybercrime signing at the Hanoi Convention, Vietnam, on October 25-26, 2025.
The APSC Council meeting took place as part of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur (October 26-28, 2025), themed “Towards a Resilient and Inclusive Future Together.”
Why Has Southeast Asia Become a Hotspot for Online Fraud?
Several factors have turned parts of Southeast Asia into centers for online fraud syndicates, including weak governance, political instability, and the proliferation of online gambling.
Reports from Bernama, ProPublica, and ODI indicate that criminal networks, often based in China, have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people to work in prison-like facilities in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.
Main Centers of Fraud:
Myanmar: Since the 2021 military coup, criminal enterprises have operated freely in border areas such as Myawaddy, where an estimated 120,000 people may be trapped in fraud complexes.
Cambodia: Despite government crackdowns, special economic zones like Sihanoukville remain hubs for fraud, with up to 100,000 people reportedly held captive.
Laos: The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone hosts illegal online gambling and fraud centers run by Chinese criminal networks, where human trafficking and forced labor are rampant.
Philippines: The country has become a base for cybercrime syndicates, often connected to local call center operations.
How Do Fraud Syndicates Operate?
Criminal networks exploit vulnerabilities to recruit and exploit victims:
Deceptive recruitment: Traffickers lure skilled individuals through social media and job portals, promising high-paying roles in IT, translation, or customer service.
Human trafficking and forced labor: Victims often have their documents confiscated and are coerced through violence or intimidation to participate in scams.
Fraud schemes: Syndicates operate scams such as “pig-slaughtering” cryptocurrency fraud, illegal online gambling, identity theft, and fake loan schemes.
Money laundering: Profits are laundered through corrupt casinos and other regional businesses.
What Challenges Hinder Efforts Against Online Fraud?
ASEAN faces several obstacles in combating these criminal networks:
Lack of regional cooperation: Cross-border law enforcement coordination remains weak, and corruption hampers enforcement.
Weak governance: Political instability and limited oversight create safe havens for syndicates.
Exploitation of SEZs: Criminal groups thrive in Special Economic Zones and border areas under loose regulations.
Criminal adaptability: Syndicates are mobile and expand operations to new countries, including Timor Leste.
What Steps Are Being Taken to Counter the Threat?
Authorities and international partners are responding with increasing pressure:
International sanctions: The U.S. and EU have targeted entities linked to these syndicates.
National crackdowns: China has ramped up repatriation efforts, while the Myanmar junta recently raided a major fraud center, rescuing many foreign nationals.
ASEAN initiatives: Regional meetings have emphasized the need for innovative approaches and stronger cooperation to tackle cross-border cybercrime and financial fraud.
Sugiono’s call for enhanced synergy between ASEAN sectoral bodies highlights a growing recognition that cybercrime and online fraud are not just national issues—they are regional security threats that require coordinated action.
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