Southeast Asian leaders, with U.S. and Chinese counterparts, will renew alarm over online scams

Summary

• ASEAN leaders & key counterparts from the US & China will address escalating online scam threats at the East Asia Summit in Manila.
• The Philippines holds the rotating ASEAN leadership amid criminal groups using technology & human trafficking for illicit global operations.
• A draft joint statement expresses grave concern over transnational criminal organizations inflicting harm through scam centres & associated trafficking.
• Leaders acknowledged the exploitation of digital platforms by sophisticated actors & stressed the need to strengthen financial & digital systems.
• Authorities report workers lured into scam centres in the Philippines & Cambodia face threats, torture, & severe human consequences.
• Summit participants will encourage sharing threat assessments, best practices, & enhanced law enforcement coordination to dismantle scam networks.
• A UN report estimated Southeast Asia-based scams caused losses between US$88.3 billion & US$114.1 billion in 2025.
• Criminals utilize AI, malware, & deepfakes for money laundering, theft, sexual extortion, & abuse while expanding integrated networks globally.
• Victims face exploitation including sex trafficking, domestic servitude, forced begging, & forced labor beyond initial recruitment scams.
• Leaders will emphasize addressing underlying drivers such as poverty, lack of social protection, outdated laws, corruption, & limited economic opportunities.
• The summit will stress that government responses must align with international law & respect human rights.