New ASEAN framework aims to trace scam calls and texts across borders
A surge in cross-border scams has pushed Southeast Asia to rethink how digital crimes are tracked and stopped at their source.
A Regional First in Scam Prevention
Singapore has proposed the region’s first coordinated mechanism that would allow all 11 ASEAN member states to trace the origin of scam calls and SMS messages. The proposal was announced by Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo following the sixth ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting held in Hanoi on January 16.
How the Traceback Mechanism Works
The system relies on a technical process that traces suspicious calls or messages backwards through multiple telecommunications networks. Starting from the terminating telco that delivers the message to the victim, call detail records are passed upstream until the original subscriber or SIM card is identified. Each telco plays a critical role, as providers only hold records linking them to their immediate upstream network.
Why Cross-Border Cooperation Is Essential
Minister Teo stressed that scams rarely originate from a single country, making international cooperation essential. Scammers often hide behind spoofed numbers and operate across jurisdictions, limiting the effectiveness of national-level enforcement. Singapore has committed to sharing information when scam traffic originates locally and is urging other ASEAN countries to reciprocate.
Part of Broader ASEAN Digital Safeguards
The traceback proposal is a key recommendation under the ASEAN Guide on Anti-Scam Policies and Best Practices, one of two regional cooperation frameworks endorsed at the meeting. The Infocomm Media Development Authority noted that the effectiveness of cross-border tracebacks increases as more countries participate in the network.
Learning From Global Examples
Similar frameworks already operate in countries such as the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In the US, an industry-led consortium known as the Industry Traceback Group requires all telco providers to cooperate within 24 hours. This system has enabled the US Federal Communications Commission to take enforcement action against a telemarketer responsible for over five billion illegal robocalls.
Beyond Scams: Protecting Digital Infrastructure
Alongside anti-scam measures, ASEAN ministers also adopted the Enhanced ASEAN Guidelines for Strengthening Resilience and Repair of Submarine Cables. Updated from the 2019 version, the guidelines address the protection of undersea cables that carry 99 percent of international internet traffic, emphasizing streamlined approvals, single points of contact, and regional coordination.
Singapore’s proposal signals a shift toward collective digital defense in Southeast Asia, recognizing that cybercrime and infrastructure vulnerabilities do not respect national borders. For Indonesians and Singaporeans alike, stronger regional coordination promises improved consumer protection, more effective enforcement, and a safer digital ecosystem as ASEAN economies become increasingly interconnected.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , The Star (2026)
Keywords: Scam Traceback Mechanism, Asean Digital Ministers, Cross Border Scams, Telecommunications Networks, Cybercrime Prevention
