Indonesia steps up cross-border crackdown to counter rising global fraud networks

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, 2 OCTOBER 2026 —

Indonesia urges faster global action to dismantle cyberscam networks as criminals exploit speed to evade capture

Indonesia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno called on Tuesday for an accelerated international response to combat the rapidly evolving online scam industry, warning that criminals now operate "in a matter of minutes" and require law enforcement to match their agility. Speaking at the International Conference on Combating Online Scams (ICCOS) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Oegroseno stressed that current cross-border coordination must become more specialized and immediate to disrupt transnational scam operations.

The urgency stems from the industry’s growing sophistication, with scam networks now functioning as organized crime syndicates involving recruiters, operators, technology providers, money mules, and money launderers operating across multiple jurisdictions. Indonesia’s push for stronger cooperation comes as representatives from 28 countries—including ASEAN members—gathered from September 23 to 24 to discuss strategies to counter the threat.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized the need for a dedicated mechanism to improve information-sharing between nations, enhance asset recovery efforts, and better protect victims.

Oegroseno framed the challenge as a race against time, stating in a ministry statement: "We’re not fighting individuals. We’re fighting a network, and a network can only be beaten by a faster network." He highlighted the necessity for closer collaboration between national authorities, ASEAN, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Interpol, and other global bodies.

A separate session at ICCOS classified the online scam industry as a global emergency, reinforcing the call for mechanisms that enable rapid law enforcement responses.

For Malaysia, the push for regional coordination is critical as the country has also grappled with rising cybercrime, including scams involving fake investment schemes and online fraud. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has previously reported a surge in such cases, with victims often losing substantial sums to international syndicates. Indonesia’s proposal aligns with Malaysia’s own efforts to strengthen cross-border cybersecurity partnerships, including through ASEAN frameworks.

The next steps for Indonesia will involve formalizing its proposals with key stakeholders, including Interpol and UNODC, to establish a more agile and unified response mechanism. The Foreign Ministry did not specify a timeline for concrete actions but reiterated the need for immediate progress to counter the escalating threat.

Related: Arif Havas Oegroseno · Phnom Penh, Cambodia