Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Singapore Invokes OCHA in First Directive to Meta over Facebook Scam Ads

By Nithya Subramanian | 04/09/2025

The move marks Singapore’s first use of new online harm powers, targeting a surge in scams impersonating senior officials that cost victims SGD 126 million in H1 2025.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Philippine Bankers Association Developing New Scam Blocking Protocol

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 04/09/2025

The new protocol will incorporate AI and big data analytics to facilitate real-time alerts and fund blocking once scam-related activity is reported.

PEPs & Sanctions

US Indicts and Sanctions Chinese Chemical Firms Over Opioid Trade

By Manesh Samtani | 04/09/2025

A federal grand jury indicted four Chinese companies and 22 nationals. OFAC sanctioned one firm and two individuals in a coordinated action.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

SC Malaysia Moves to Tighten Social Media Ad Rules

By Nithya Subramanian | 03/09/2025

The regulator is in talks with platforms including Meta and TikTok to restrict investment ads to whitelisted entities, after scam losses surged between 2020 and 2024.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

BSP Warns of Penalties for FIs That Fail to Meet Anti-Fraud Deadline

By Nithya Subramanian | 03/09/2025

The central bank has warned of licence suspensions and civil charges for FIs that don't upgrade fraud management systems by 2026.

Anti-Money Laundering

SFC Bans Former UBS Director for Life Over Money Laundering Conviction

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 03/09/2025

The SFC has permanently barred Suen Kin-wing following convictions for laundering over HKD 134 million and breaching court injunctions.

Supervision & Enforcement

ASIC Expands Case Against Adviser of Collapsed Super Funds

By Editors | 03/09/2025

ASIC alleges an unconscionable advice model led to over AUD 500 million in investments into two now-collapsed funds.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Singapore Director Pleads Guilty to Multi-Million Dollar AI Trading Scam

By Nithya Subramanian | 02/09/2025

Ong Kai Min has pleaded guilty to cheating investors in a bogus AI trading scheme that raised nearly SGD 4 million, with funds diverted for personal and business use instead of trading as promised.

Fraud, Scams & Cybercrime

Southeast Asia Increasingly Shifting Scam Liability to Banks - Report

By Manesh Samtani | 01/09/2025

A new GASA report finds consumers in Southeast Asia lost an estimated USD 23.6 billion in the last year from scams.