The Sumsub report highlighted that the region dropped to fourth place as Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia record significant decline.
The Asia-Pacific has fallen from third to fourth place globally in fraud protection, according to the 2025 Global Fraud Index released by verification platform Sumsub.
The study, conducted in collaboration with Statista and the Digital Assets Association (DAA) Singapore, assessed 112 countries and found that the region now trails Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas in safeguarding against fraud.
While countries such as New Zealand and Thailand improved their rankings, several of the region’s key digital economies, including Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia, saw sharp declines, reflecting the growing gap between digital expansion and the implementation of robust fraud prevention frameworks.
“This year’s Global Fraud Index shows that fraud protection isn’t about geography, it’s about governance,” said Timothy Owens, Tech and AI Industry Expert and Senior Research Lead at Statista. “Fraudsters now have access to powerful AI tools, making sophisticated attacks commonplace. Verification systems, information sharing, and strong response mechanisms are no longer optional — they are fundamental to operating safely in today’s digital landscape.”
Despite its overall decline, Singapore ranked first globally in the Government Intervention category, surpassing countries such as Luxembourg, Denmark, and Finland, underscoring its strong regulatory response and commitment to a secure digital economy.
Across the region, New Zealand rose from 12th to 7th place, and Thailand climbed 25 positions to 33rd. In contrast, Singapore dropped from 1st to 10th, Japan fell from 13th to 28th, Malaysia from 34th to 86th, and Indonesia from 100th to 111th. Pakistan remained last globally for the second consecutive year.
“The decline in rankings for key APAC hubs highlights the need for unified action against increasingly sophisticated fraud,” said Chia Hock Lai, Co-Chairman of the Digital Assets Association.
“This isn’t just about statistics — it’s about building trust and protecting businesses. The DAA will continue collaborating with governments and industry to strengthen anti-fraud infrastructure and enhance access to KYC and AML tools across the region.”
“The findings highlight both the growing risks and the effectiveness of targeted prevention measures,” added Penny Chai, Vice President, APAC at Sumsub. “Fast-growing digital economies face unique challenges where rapid innovation increases exposure to fraud. Strong government intervention and public-private collaboration are essential to maintaining trust and resilience.”
The 2025 report expands on last year’s edition to include nine new countries, among them the Philippines, Vietnam, and Nigeria. It integrates Sumsub’s proprietary verification data with sources such as the World Bank, Transparency International, and Oxford Insights, providing an in-depth view of fraud exposure and institutional readiness worldwide.
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