Scams have become a hidden crisis across Southeast Asia, affecting millions of people from Vietnam to Malaysia. Most reporting focuses on the criminals running the scams, but what about the victims?
Families are losing money, trust, and peace of mind as online fraud spreads. In just one year, victims in the region lost an estimated $23.6 billion US dollars, while many continue to suffer emotional trauma that often goes unreported.
Millions Hurt, Few Recover
About 63 percent of adults in Southeast Asia report being targeted by scams in the past year. One in four lost money, yet only a small fraction managed to recover their funds. Many never report scams, either thinking it’s pointless or because the reporting process is too complicated. Victims face serious stress, with nearly half saying the experience affected their mental health. Even when complaints were filed, only half recall seeing any meaningful action.
How Scammers Trap Their Victims
Scammers use dating apps,
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