Singaporean media reported on the 2nd that a recent report released by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) and other organizations shows that, in the past 12 months, losses caused by scams in Southeast Asia are estimated to have reached $23.6 billion (99.843 billion ringgit). Among them, Singapore has the highest per capita loss at $2,132 (9,020 ringgit), more than double the regional average of $660 (2,792 ringgit).
The report's data comes from a survey of 6,000 people across six countries—Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Results show that 63% of Southeast Asians have experienced scams in the past year, with an even higher proportion in Singapore at 66%. Of the scam cases, 66% happened within the first day that victims received a scam call. Among these, Singapore’s per capita loss is the highest.
The report also notes that, in Southeast Asia, 73% of victims reported scams to their payment service providers, but only 22% were able to recover at least some of their money; Singapore’s situation is comparatively better, with 83% of victims having reported and 43% able to recover at least part of their funds, which is the highest recovery rate in Southeast Asia. The survey also found that in Southeast Asia there are still a large number of unreported cases.