Indonesia Encourages Research On Tactics And New Methods For Online Crime Perpetrators At 19th AMMTC

JAKARTA - Indonesia encourages research on new tactics and methods used by online criminals to increase collaboration in ASEAN meetings that address online and online scam crime issues.

ASEAN affirms its commitment to fighting cross-border crime through the adoption of "ASEAN Declaration on Combating Cybercrime and Online Scams" at The Nineth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (19th AMMTC) which took place in Malacca, Malaysia on September 10.

"In this declaration, Indonesia encourages research on new tactics and methods used by online criminals, joint investigations, strengthening cooperation with Mitra Wicara ASEAN, and increasing collaboration across ASEAN pillars," wrote the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement, Wednesday, September 17.

This declaration highlights the increasing threat of cybercrime and online fraud that has developed into cross-border crimes, triggering other crimes such as identity theft, phishing, financial fraud, money launching, drug trafficking, online gambling, people trafficking in persons (TIP). ASEAN member countries expressed concern over the social impacts and financial losses incurred, including a decrease in public trust.

Through this declaration, ASEAN agreed to deepen law enforcement coordination, increase public awareness, and research on new tactics of online crime, in addition member countries also agreed to improve policies and regulations at the national and regional levels, as well as strengthen cooperation through information exchange, capacity development, reciprocal legal assistance, extradition, joint operations, and data infrastructure development.

Member states are also committed to increasing the capacity of frontline officials in detecting, investigating, and taking action against cybercriminals, including online fraud syndicates, as well as strengthening understanding of the flow of related illegal funds. Member states also encourage the formation of specific points-of-contacts such as anti-scam centers, cooperating in tracking, and freezing illegal funds.

This declaration also emphasizes the importance of cooperation with relevant stakeholders at national, regional and international levels, including the private sector, financial institutions, ASEAN speech partners, and non-governmental organizations for the prevention, prosecution, and protection of victims.

In addition to the adoption of the Declaration, the meeting also discussed the latest trends of transnational crime, including the increasing cases of online scams that now take advantage of artificial intelligence (AI), deepfakes, ransomware, and cryptocurrencies.

It is known, AMMTC is the ASEAN's highest decision-making forum in the field of prevention and eradication of transnational crimes, including border management.