World urged to boost cooperation against scam networks at Vienna summit

Thailand has called for stronger international cooperation to tackle the growing threat of online scams and cross-border fraud, highlighting the increasing complexity of fraud operations driven by emerging technologies and the exploitation of areas with weak governance and the rule of law.

In his opening remarks at the plenary session of the Global Fraud Summit in Vienna, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said such crimes affect millions of people worldwide, undermining economic stability and security while also violating human rights.

Speaking under the theme “Scam centres: The rising sophistication and cross-border impact of fraud,” Sihasak emphasised that closer international cooperation is essential to effectively counter the evolving threat.

He urged the international community to intensify intelligence-sharing, improve the speed of cross-border investigations and responses, and strengthen capabilities to trace and recover illicit assets linked to fraud networks.

Sihasak also stressed the need for strong political commitment to combat cybercrime and online scams.

He noted that Thailand has declared the fight against cybercrime and online scams a national agenda and has strengthened its response through measures including the establishment of a national committee to prevent and suppress technology-related crimes.

Thailand has also expanded cooperation with international partners such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Criminal Police Organization, as well as relevant private sector entities.

Thailand has continued to advance efforts to combat fraud, particularly online scams.

Its participation in the summit underscores the country’s commitment to elevating the issue as a global priority and builds on the outcomes of the International Conference on the Global Partnership against Online Scams held on Dec. 17–18, 2025, in Bangkok.