APAC Online Scam Fight: $5M Google.org Fund Strengthens Efforts
- Online scams continue to inflict significant financial harm across Southeast Asia. A recent study indicates that the region experienced an estimated $23.6 billion in losses to fraud in...
- to address this growing threat,$5 million in funding from Google.org has been allocated to The ASEAN Foundation.
- Originally known as shieldup!, "Be Scam Ready" immerses players in realistic scam scenarios, providing a safe surroundings to learn and recognize common tactics used by fraudsters.
Combating the Surge in Southeast Asian Scams with New Funding and Collaboration
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Regional Impact of Online Fraud
Online scams continue to inflict significant financial harm across Southeast Asia. A recent study indicates that the region experienced an estimated $23.6 billion in losses to fraud in 2024, with 63% of Southeast Asians reporting they’ve been targeted in the past year according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA).
Expanding Scam Prevention Resources
to address this growing threat,$5 million in funding from Google.org has been allocated to The ASEAN Foundation. This investment will expand online scam prevention resources to reach an estimated 3 million people throughout Southeast Asia. A key component of this initiative is the scaling of “Be Scam Ready,” an educational game designed to build resilience against online threats.
Originally known as shieldup!, “Be Scam Ready” immerses players in realistic scam scenarios, providing a safe surroundings to learn and recognize common tactics used by fraudsters.
Enhanced Threat Intelligence Sharing
Collaboration is crucial in the fight against fraud. GovTech Singapore has become the first government agency to join the global Signal Exchange (GSE), a platform designed for rapid facts sharing among member organizations. The GSE currently tracks over 400 million threat signals in real-time, enabling proactive disruption of fraudulent activities.
GASA Expansion and Best practice Sharing
As a founding member of GASA, efforts are underway to broaden the organization’s reach and impact. New local chapters are being established in Indonesia and the Philippines, facilitating the sharing of best practices and localized scam prevention strategies.