Bangkok leads global pact against online scams with tech partners

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 1 hour ago |  JP Asia Desk

Thailand hosts a global anti-scam partnership launch in Bangkok, bringing together governments and private tech platforms to spotlight cross-border collaboration against online fraud and advance cybercrime prevention.

Summary

BANGKOK — Thailand hosted the launch of an international effort to combat the spread of online scams on December 18 and 19 in Bangkok, bringing together governments, law enforcement, and major technology platforms. The event, co‑hosted by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, culminated in the announcement of the Global Partnership Against Online Scams. This initiative is designed to strengthen political will, enhance cross‑border law enforcement cooperation, expand victim protection and public awareness programs, and foster greater collaboration among countries affected by transnational online fraud networks. 

Private sectors join anti‑scam drive

Tech platforms, including Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and TikTok, played notable roles at the conference, highlighting the importance of industry engagement in countering online scams. Meta presented a threat report outlining how criminal enterprises increasingly use artificial intelligence to perpetrate scams and explained the protocols it is deploying to mitigate such content on its platforms. TikTok signed on to the partnership’s closing statement, becoming one of the first private sector members committed to the initiative. 

Scope and scale of scam challenges

Scam operations that extort money through fake investment schemes, fraudulent romances, and other deceptive tactics have proliferated across Southeast Asia, with estimates from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime placing global victim losses between 18 billion and 37 billion dollars in 2023. Participants from more than 60 countries attended the two‑day conference, underscoring the broad international concern over online scam networks that exploit gaps in law enforcement and regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions. 

The partnership agreement signed by Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates commits to public awareness campaigns, improved victim support, and streamlined cooperation between countries. Regional and global frameworks such as the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime have also been cited by officials as important foundations for strengthening cooperation against transnational cybercrime. 

Technology companies at the conference highlighted ongoing challenges in policing content and fraudulent activity, noting that evolving scam strategies often leverage complex technologies and platforms spanning social media, telecommunications, and financial sectors. Participants emphasized that sustained collaboration among governments, private sector platforms, and civil society organizations will be critical in adapting to these threats.

KEY POINTS:

• Thailand co‑hosts the launch of the Global Partnership Against Online Scams in Bangkok with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime
• Governments from multiple countries sign on to enhance cross‑border cooperation and victim protection
• Technology companies, including Meta and TikTok, join the initiative, highlighting industry engagement
• Online scams cost victims billions annually and exploit artificial intelligence and digital platforms
• Conference attended by over 60 countries to address transnational scam challenges

POSSIBLE WAY FORWARD: Experts suggest that sustained public‑private collaboration could include shared best practices for identifying and disrupting scam networks, expanded information‑sharing mechanisms among law enforcement and technology platforms, and coordinated public education campaigns to improve consumer awareness and resilience against online fraud.

ATTRIBUTION: This story is based on reporting from Associated Press and multiple news outlets.