Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – On November 7, 2025, the Institute of Human Geography and Sustainable Development of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and the Singapore Technology for Good Institute (TFGI) jointly hosted an international seminar in Hanoi entitled “Public Dialogue – Enhancing Southeast Asia’s Resilience Against Fraud and Scams: A Focus on Vietnam.”
In her opening remarks, Citra Nasruddin, Project Director of the Singapore TFGI, pointed out that in 2024, Asia accounted for more than half of the global economic losses caused by fraud. She emphasized that current cybercrime activities are widely utilizing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to automate and refine fraud processes, further exacerbating regional digital security risks.
Citra Nasruddin stated that although Vietnam has made significant progress in digital transformation, the number of cyber fraud cases continues to rise, a situation similar to that of many other countries in the region. Data shows that in 2024, Vietnamese authorities recorded approximately 10,000 cyber fraud cases, resulting in economic losses of approximately US$759 million (approximately VND 20 trillion). From January to August 2025 alone, the number of online fraud cases increased by 65% year-on-year, causing losses exceeding VND 1.6 trillion. This trend highlights the urgency of enhancing domestic digital resilience and strengthening cross-border law enforcement cooperation.
She pointed out that the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (the Hanoi Convention), signed in October 2024, is a landmark achievement of international cooperation, and hoped that this seminar would provide practical suggestions for the implementation of the Convention and jointly clarify the future direction of regional digital security governance.
TFGI Project Director Keith Detros released a research report at the conference, "A Holistic Approach to Social Defense Against Digital Fraud and Scams in Southeast Asia." This study systematically analyzes the evolution of fraudulent behavior, proposes implementation paths to enhance regional digital resilience, maps a complete "fraud lifecycle," summarizes best practices for prevention and response, and identifies key means in prevention, blocking, and response.
Keith Detros emphasized that governments currently address digital fraud primarily by improving legislative and regulatory frameworks, promoting public-private partnerships, and conducting public education and community initiatives. However, given the rapid iteration and cross-border spread of fraud methods, a governance model involving the entire society is essential to effectively safeguard public safety and maintain the trust foundation of the digital ecosystem.
Dr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, a cybersecurity consultant at Vietnam FPT Group and a lecturer at Phenikaa University, points out from a technological and social engineering perspective that technology is merely a tool in cyber fraud; the root cause lies in the manipulation of psychology and behavior. Common methods include creating emergency situations (such as impersonating a bank to issue account lockout warnings) to trick users into disclosing information, building long-term trust to carry out investment fraud, and even using AI deepfake technology to forge audio and video or impersonate identities to launch targeted attacks.
Dr. Nguyen Thanh Binh believes that the high complexity of current cyberattacks stems from criminals' precise grasp of psychology and behavior. Therefore, effective prevention cannot rely solely on technological means; it also requires enhancing public awareness of cybersecurity and critical thinking skills.
From a psychological and sociological perspective, Pham Thi Thu Phuong, editor-in-chief of the *Journal of Human Geography and Sustainable Development* at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, suggests that stable and healthy families and close relationships help reduce the risk of individuals being scammed. Positive family interactions can provide members with information verification and emotional support when facing major decisions, thereby enhancing their ability to identify and cope with digital risks.
This seminar brought together experts and scholars from several Southeast Asian countries to engage in in-depth exchanges on topics such as strategies for preventing online fraud, tripartite collaboration mechanisms among the state, businesses, and society, and building public digital trust. Participants put forward several countermeasures and suggestions based on Vietnam's specific circumstances, aiming to improve the country's cybersecurity and information security protection levels, promote scientific research cooperation and social advocacy, and enhance the public's awareness and ability to prevent digital risks. (End)
