Singapore has proposed a regional mechanism that would allow ASEAN countries to trace the origin of scam calls and SMS messages across borders, aiming to tackle telecom fraud at its source.

Speaking after the sixth ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting in Hanoi, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said the proposed traceback system would require strong international cooperation, as scam communications often pass through multiple networks and jurisdictions.

The mechanism, recommended in the ASEAN Guide on Anti-Scam Policies and Best Practices, works by tracing suspicious calls or texts backward through telco networks using call detail records until the originating SIM card or subscriber is identified. All telecom operators involved in the transmission chain would need to cooperate for the system to be effective.

According to The Straits Times, Singapore will consult other ASEAN member states to gauge support for the proposal, which authorities believe will improve scam blocking, evidence collection and enforcement.

The ministers’ meeting also endorsed updated ASEAN guidelines on protecting and repairing submarine cables, which carry 99 per cent of international internet traffic, underscoring the need for regional coordination to prevent and respond to disruptions.

BOB Post