ASEAN Adopts Declaration to Combat Cybercrime and Online Fraud at 19th AMMTC

Malacca, The Gulf Observer: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has reaffirmed its collective commitment to tackling cybercrime and online fraud, adopting the ASEAN Declaration on Combating Cybercrime and Online Scams during the 19th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) held in Malacca on September 10.

The declaration highlights the growing threat of online fraud and cybercrime, which are increasingly linked to transnational organized crime and related offenses such as identity theft, money laundering, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. ASEAN member states voiced concern over the social harm and financial losses caused by such crimes, including the erosion of public trust.

Under the declaration, ASEAN nations pledged to enhance law enforcement coordination, raise public awareness, strengthen research on emerging online crime tactics, and improve regulatory frameworks at both national and regional levels. Member states also committed to closer cooperation through information sharing, mutual legal assistance, extradition, and joint operations.

The bloc further emphasized building frontline capacity to detect, investigate, and prosecute cybercriminals, while advocating the creation of dedicated points of contact such as anti-scam centers to track and freeze illicit funds. Collaboration with private sector actors, financial institutions, international partners, and NGOs was also underscored as vital to combating cybercrime effectively.

Indonesia, in particular, called for more research into emerging tactics such as deepfakes, AI-driven fraud, ransomware, and cryptocurrency-related scams, as well as deeper cooperation with ASEAN dialogue partners.

The AMMTC remains ASEAN’s highest-level decision-making forum for addressing transnational crime, including cybercrime and border management.