ASEANAPOL focuses on eliminating scam call centres, trafficking links

PUTRAJAYA — The ASEAN National Police (ASEANAPOL) will prioritise the elimination of scam call centres linked to trafficking in persons and forced criminal activities as part of its regional action plan this year, director for Plans and Programmes ASEANAPOL Secretariat, Police Senior Lieutenant-Colonel Nguyen Huu Ngoc, said.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of the Asia 2025 International Security Summit and Expo (AISSE) here Monday, Nguyen said Malaysia is particularly affected, with many victims being trafficked and smuggled to countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam and others.

“Our plan of action focuses on obtaining a comprehensive picture of crime trends, identifying law enforcement gaps, and addressing training needs among the 10 ASEAN member countries,” said Nguyen, who also spoke at a summit session titled “Digital Technology and Transnational Crime: Emerging Threats to National Security in the ASEAN Region”.

He added that ASEANAPOL is coordinating training capacity-building initiatives and establishing an anti-scam centre, while also supporting police operations to tackle cyber scams in Southeast Asia, with Malaysia as a key focus.

Nguyen revealed that a new initiative targeting cybercrime was submitted during the 42nd ASEANAPOL Conference held in Myanmar in October 2024.

“The resolution has been adopted by the chiefs of police from all 10 member countries. This year, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat will develop an action plan to implement the resolution,” he said, adding that the initiative includes coordinating efforts to dismantle scam call centres and mitigating transnational crimes linked to cyber scams, which often result in the exploitation and trafficking of individuals.

Nguyen acknowledged the challenges in fostering collaboration among ASEAN member states, particularly in terms of information-sharing.

“To paint a big picture of the crime situation, we need data contributions from member countries. However, some nations hesitate to provide statistics or information on criminal syndicates. We encourage greater transparency and collaboration to strengthen law enforcement efforts across the region,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Nguyen emphasised the importance of the ASEAN spirit of consensus, highlighting the collective goal of protecting citizens and ensuring the region remains safe from cybercrime.

Nguyen also said Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have established robust national-level operational models to combat scams. However, he said at the international level, challenges arise when funds are transferred across borders.

“In such cases, ASEANAPOL coordinates with international organisations and countries outside the region to recover assets and funds that have been transferred illegally,” he said.

He expressed hope that other member states would adopt similar anti-scam models, enhancing regional efforts to combat cyber scams and transnational crime.

Nguyen reiterated ASEANAPOL’s commitment to strengthening collaboration among member states to address the evolving landscape of cybercrime and safeguard the region’s security.

Earlier in his presentation, Nguyen said ASEANAPOL also gathered and analysed data on crime situations reported by these countries, focusing on 10 core crime areas, including human trafficking, wildlife crime, cybercrime, transnational fraud, and more.

“The data collected is used to produce analytical reports that shed light on crime trends across Southeast Asia and to identify gaps in law enforcement capabilities among member states.

“This information also guides our collaborations with 12 dialogue partners and 11 observers worldwide to strengthen regional security efforts,” he said.

He also said cyber fraud has emerged as one of the most critical threats in Southeast Asia, often linked to human trafficking and forced criminal activities.

Alarmingly, revenue generated from such illicit activities in certain countries can account for up to 40  per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP).

A news report said that the online fraud operations in Southeast Asia are on the rise, with organised scamming syndicates generating an estimated US$64 billion annually on a global scale.

In Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, these criminal networks are responsible for stealing approximately US$43.8 billion each year through scams, amounting to nearly 40 per cent of the combined formal GDP of the three nations. — BERNAMA