Horrifying Scams Cost ASEAN Citizens 760 Billion Baht: Voice Cloning and Deepfakes Identified as Major Threats

Tokyo: ASEAN nations are grappling with a significant rise in online scams, with citizens losing over 760 billion baht in the past year. Associate Professor Dr. Piti Srisangnam from Chulalongkorn University highlighted this alarming trend during an interview on the Good Morning ASEAN program on MCOT NEWS FM 100.5, held in Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Piti emphasized that such scams pose a severe threat across the region, with 11 ASEAN countries reporting a collective loss exceeding US$23.6 billion. According to Thai News Agency, online scams are impacting a substantial portion of the ASEAN population, with 63% of people reporting being scammed. Of these, one in four has lost money, though actual figures might be higher due to underreporting. Vietnam and Malaysia have the highest proportion of victims, with 86% and 85% respectively. Singapore reports the highest average financial loss per person, with figures reaching US$2,132, far surpassing the regional average of US$660. Dr. Piti pointed out that scammers are quickl y adapting their methods, with two-thirds of scams occurring during the initial contact and almost half of the victims losing money within minutes. This rapid success is attributed to the use of artificial intelligence technologies like voice cloning and deepfakes. The scams are often orchestrated by large networks. In Cambodia, online fraud accounts for US$12.5 billion, equating to 50-60% of the nation's GDP. There are also claims of some funds being channeled to high-ranking officials. A concerning trend, termed the "Two Victims Dynamic," involves not only those who are deceived but also individuals trafficked to work in these scam networks, estimated at about 300,000 people in ASEAN. Despite this, countries like Thailand and Singapore are making strides in combating these frauds through new laws, managing suspicious accounts, and improving reporting channels. Dr. Piti urged for a coordinated policy-level response, emphasizing public education and private sector cooperation to counter the growing sophisti cation of these scams.