Asian scam losses reach US$136.5bn as GASA launches Thailand chapter

The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) has launched its Thailand Chapter to strengthen cooperation between government agencies, financial institutions and technology companies, as new research estimates that consumers across Asia lost US$136.5 billion (approximately THB4.6 trillion) to scams over the past year.

The announcement came at the Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2026, held at Pullman Bangkok King Power on November 10-11, bringing together more than 800 representatives from government agencies, law enforcement, financial institutions, telecommunications companies, technology firms and civil society organisations.

The summit is organised through cooperation between GASA, the Royal Thai Police, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, with support from Gogolook, Meta, Google, Trend Micro, CUBE AI and Outseer.

The newly established GASA Thailand Chapter aims to connect domestic organisations with the alliance's international network, focusing on information sharing, coordinated prevention measures and public awareness.

Scam losses across Asia reach US$136.5 billion

Findings from GASA's State of Scams in Asia 2026 report, presented by Jeff Kuo, co-founder and chief executive of Gogolook, highlight the scale of online fraud across 13 Asian markets.

The study estimates that consumers lost a combined US$136.5 billion to scams over the preceding 12 months.

Among respondents, 71% reported encountering scams during that period. Of those who lost money, 51% had been defrauded more than once.

The consequences also extended beyond financial losses, with 72% of affected victims reporting damage to their mental wellbeing.

Kuo emphasised that effective responses must go beyond stopping scams before they occur.

He called for faster reporting mechanisms, easier access to assistance and measures to rebuild confidence in digital services after people have been defrauded.

The summit provides an opportunity for government authorities, technology companies and financial institutions to develop coordinated approaches to early intervention, repeat victimisation and victim support.

Thailand records THB65.86 billion in scam losses

A separate State of Scams in Thailand 2026 report, prepared by GASA in collaboration with Mastercard and Whoscall, estimates that scams cost Thai consumers THB65.86 billion, or approximately US$1.85 billion, over the past year.

The average financial loss per victim was THB11,951.20.

The findings show that 79% of Thai adults encountered scams, up from 72% in 2025.

Among respondents who suffered financial losses, six in 10 reported being scammed more than once.

Facebook and LINE were the most frequently reported channels through which scammers contacted people in Thailand, accounting for 54% and 48%, respectively.

Bank transfers and other electronic transfers were the leading payment methods used by victims to send money to scammers, representing 49% of cases.

That proportion was substantially higher than the Asian average of 36%.

Digital wallets were the second most common payment method, accounting for 29%.

The research also identified lasting effects on victims' confidence and wellbeing.

Around 35% continued to worry about becoming targets again, while 32% reported reduced trust in digital platforms. Another 26% experienced ongoing personal tensions following their encounters with scammers.

Thailand chapter to strengthen cooperation and prevention

Kodchasorn Jaijam, managing director of Gogolook Thailand, outlined three priorities for the newly established GASA Thailand Chapter.

The first involves strengthening cooperation between government agencies and private organisations through regular meetings, roundtable discussions and joint initiatives aimed at preventing scams before they reach consumers.

The second focuses on sharing practical intelligence, including research findings, emerging scam techniques, international experiences and lessons that could inform Thailand's policies and prevention measures.

The third priority is public education, developed in cooperation with consumer protection bodies and civil society organisations to improve awareness and help people recognise fraudulent activity.

Kodchasorn explained that the chapter brings together expertise from technology, telecommunications, payment services and government agencies to support a more coordinated national response.

The network will also welcome additional organisations committed to consumer protection and scam prevention.

Rajat Maheshwari, chair of GASA's Singapore Chapter, highlighted the growing risks associated with increasingly convenient digital payments.

He observed that scammers were continually adapting their methods to exploit faster payment channels, making technological safeguards and cooperation across the digital ecosystem essential to maintaining consumer confidence.

Bank of Thailand calls for real-time information sharing

Nakarin Amarase, deputy director of the Payment Systems Policy and Financial Consumer Protection Group at the Bank of Thailand, stressed that online scams undermine trust even before financial losses occur.

He argued that Thailand needs an interconnected system allowing banks, telecommunications providers, digital platforms and government agencies to exchange information in real time.

Such cooperation would make consumer protection a shared responsibility rather than placing the burden primarily on people who have been deceived.

Nakarin welcomed the establishment of GASA Thailand Chapter as an opportunity to improve coordination between organisations involved in preventing and responding to scams.

Beth Ann Lim, Meta's director of public policy strategy for Asia-Pacific, similarly emphasised the international nature of organised scam operations.

She noted that fraud networks operate across borders and exploit services provided by multiple industries, making it impossible for any single government or company to address the problem independently.

Lim highlighted the importance of connecting online platforms, banks, telecommunications companies, regulators and law enforcement agencies.

She also pointed to Meta's existing cooperation with Thai authorities and expressed support for expanding these partnerships.

Jorij Abraham, managing director of GASA, drew attention to the high proportion of victims who experience repeated scams.

He argued that repeated victimisation demonstrated gaps in consumer protection, particularly in the assistance available before and after the first financial loss.

With estimated losses across Asia reaching US$136.5 billion, Abraham called for governments, financial institutions, telecommunications operators, technology platforms and law enforcement agencies to share intelligence and respond more quickly.

He described the Thailand Chapter as an important step towards turning research findings into practical consumer protection measures.

More than 800 participants examine cross-border scam threats

The two-day summit also features discussions on organised scam operations, human trafficking, financial networks supporting fraud and the growing use of artificial intelligence in criminal activities.

Other sessions cover survivor experiences, national anti-scam systems, digital service security and measures to block fraudulent calls and messages.

Chaichanok Chidchob, Thailand's minister of digital economy and society, addressed the gathering on the country's role in developing a safer digital future.

He emphasised cooperation between government authorities, industry, law enforcement and civil society as a foundation for building a more secure and trusted digital economy.

Other Thai government representatives expressing support for cooperation included Pol Maj Gen Siriwat Deepor, deputy inspector-general and spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, and Jakkrapong Chavong, director of the Division for Prevention and Suppression of Information Technology Crime at the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society.

GASA's working groups will also examine opportunities for joint research, law enforcement cooperation, intelligence sharing, prevention and consumer education.

The summit includes the Scam Fighter Awards, recognising initiatives that have demonstrated measurable results in identifying scams, disrupting fraudulent activities and supporting enforcement efforts.

The Bangkok event forms part of GASA's 2026 series of regional summits, following the Global Anti-Scam Summit Europe in Portugal on June 9-10 and the Global Anti-Scam Summit America in San Francisco on September 2-3.

Together, the three gatherings aim to expand international cooperation and strengthen protection against increasingly sophisticated cross-border fraud.