GSMA reports find 45% of Southeast Asian scams remain unresolved

Two new reports from the GSMA, released at the M360 ASEAN Digital Trust Summit, reveal that approximately 45% of reported scam cases in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam remain unresolved. This lack of resolution is undermining digital trust, which is essential for the region's digital economy, AI integration, and digital government goals.

According to the GSMA ASEAN Consumer Scam Report 2026, roughly 8% of surveyed consumers fell victim to scams in the past 12 months. Of those affected, 68% suffered financial losses. The reports highlight a significant difficulty in recovering funds, with 82% of victims unable to recover any money and only 10% recovering their full losses.

Victims of scams are more than twice as likely to switch service providers or accounts compared to those who have not been targeted. Messaging apps were identified as the most common channel for scams, accounting for 41% of reported experiences. Additionally, nearly 90% of respondents recognized the use of artificial intelligence in scam activities.