Strengthening Regional Cooperation Against Cyber Scams

On 28 September 2026, the ASEANAPOL Secretariat had the honour to serve as Resource Person at the International Cybercrime Investigation Workshop at JCLEC Semarang, represented by the Director for Police Services, Police Senior Superintendent Huntal Tambunan, on behalf of the Executive Director.

The workshop brought together 22 participants from 9 countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, and Sri Lanka – united by one mission: to enhance cross-border capacity against scam centre operations in Southeast Asia.

On behalf of ASEANAPOL, we presented the ASEAN Scam Combat Task Force (ASCOT) as the operational implementation of the 43rd ASEANAPOL Joint Communiqué and the Bangkok Declaration. We highlighted the ASEANAPOL 2025 Action Plan with its 3 pillars:

1. Operational Coordination & Intelligence Sharing – Real-time sharing, joint investigations and joint operations. As the Chief of Philippine National Police stated, it “strengthens our ability to combat online scams”.
2. Capacity Building – Development of the Scam Combatting Operational Training Curriculum (Semarang, 15–17 June) covering financial investigation, asset tracing, digital evidence, and victim protection.
3. Support for Police Operations – Supporting all ASEAN Member States and facilitating anti-scam centres.

Because no country can address this threat alone when syndicates operate across borders.

We thank JCLEC and all participants for the positive feedback and support for ASCOT, including the proposal for 24/7 rapid freeze contact points. ASCOT will be reviewed biennially by the ASEANAPOL Secretariat to ensure its effectiveness, in consultation with Member Countries.

Together, we move from coordination to coordinated action.