Inaugural GASA Europe Chapter Meeting Sets Priorities for Tackling Scams
More than 50 participants joined GASA’s inaugural Europe Chapter meeting in Brussels on 24 September, identifying priorities around data and intelligence sharing, scam reporting, victim support and cross-sector coordination.
The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) held its first Europe Chapter meeting in Brussels on 24 September, bringing together more than 50 participants from industry, government, law enforcement, consumer organisations and other sectors to identify priorities for tackling scams across the region.
The meeting included representatives from Amazon, BEREC, CaixaBank, the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium, the European Commission, Europol, Mastercard, PayPal, Santander, Stop Scams UK, the United Nations, Visa, Which? and Worldline, among others.
A major focus was data and intelligence sharing, including the challenges organisations face when exchanging information across sectors while navigating European data protection requirements. Participants also discussed differences in how scams are classified and prevention is measured, as well as the need for trusted environments where organisations can coordinate more effectively.
The discussion also covered scam reporting and victim support, national anti-scam centres and opportunities to share practical approaches across industries. GASA will use these discussions to identify the Europe Chapter’s next steps, including opportunities for collaboration, research and practical initiatives.
Read the full meeting recap and the priorities discussed in Brussels.
Explore the Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2026 Programme – Register Early and Save 25%
The programme for the Global Anti-Scam Summit Asia 2026 is nearing completion, with leaders from across government, law enforcement, financial services, technology, telecommunications and consumer protection joining us at the Pullman Bangkok King Power, Bangkok, Thailand, on 10–11 November.
Across two days, sessions will explore some of the region’s most pressing scam challenges, from scam compounds and cross-border criminal networks to illicit financial flows, national anti-scam ecosystems and the role of AI and technology in scam prevention and intervention.
The Summit is supported by partners Gogolook, Meta, GSE and Google, helping bring together organisations working across the region to combat scams.
Confirmed speakers include representatives from UNODC, INTERPOL, the Bank of Thailand, Google, Amazon, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the UK National Crime Agency, AusPayNet, Gogolook, Outseer and CUBE AI.
Explore the programme and see who will be joining the discussions. Early Bird registration is still available, with 25% off in-person tickets.
GASA Invites Members to Propose Ideas for Its First Multi-Member Research Study
As the scam landscape continues to evolve, there is a growing need for more independent, scientific research into what drives scams, what makes people vulnerable and, most importantly, what actually works to prevent them.
GASA is launching its first Multi-Member Research Study, bringing members together to fund and shape a joint research project. By combining resources, participating organisations can undertake more ambitious and scientifically rigorous research while sharing the costs.
As a first step, GASA is inviting members to propose scientific research questions or projects they believe would strengthen the evidence base on scams. Members can submit up to three suggestions.
Participating organisations will be involved in the scope, methodology, budget and timeline, with opportunities to contribute expertise and data where appropriate and gain early access to the findings.
This initiative is open to GASA members only. Proposals will be gathered ahead of the next stage at the end of October.
PayPal has joined the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) as a Foundation Member, bringing more than 25 years of experience in digital payments, fraud prevention and consumer protection to the global network.
Operating across approximately 200 markets, PayPal uses technologies and tools to monitor transactions, identify suspicious activity, help protect customer information and enable consumers to recognise and report scams.
“Protecting consumers from scams is a shared responsibility. We’re proud to join GASA and contribute PayPal’s expertise to an effort focused on making the digital ecosystem safer for everyone.” – Michael Sachs, VP, Head of Global Investigations, PayPal
Through its membership, PayPal will share its expertise with organisations across sectors, supporting greater knowledge sharing and cross-sector collaboration to identify threats, disrupt criminal activity and better protect consumers from scams.
National Cybersecurity Agency of Azerbaijan Joins GASA Asia-Pacific
The National Cybersecurity Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan has joined the GASA Asia-Pacific Chapter as an Associated Organisation, bringing public-sector cybersecurity expertise to the regional network.
The Agency coordinates cybersecurity activities across Azerbaijan, supports the prevention and investigation of cyber threats and works to strengthen the country’s digital resilience. Its work also includes information sharing, public awareness and cooperation with national and international partners.
“Joining GASA provides the National Cybersecurity Agency with a valuable opportunity to strengthen international cooperation and exchange knowledge and practical experience in combating scams and fraud. We look forward to engaging with GASA members, contributing to joint initiatives, and sharing our experience in order to support stronger prevention, awareness, and cybersecurity efforts both nationally and internationally.” – Farid Zeynalov, Chairman of the Managing Board, National Cybersecurity Agency
Through the GASA Asia-Pacific Chapter, the Agency will contribute to cross-border knowledge sharing and coordinated efforts to prevent scams and cyber-enabled fraud.
Digital Safe India Joins GASA as an Associated Organisation
Digital Safe India has joined the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) as an Associated Organisation, strengthening GASA’s network of organisations working to prevent scams and improve digital safety.
Through its participation in GASA, Digital Safe India will contribute insights on emerging scam trends affecting people in India, while collaborating with the wider network on scam awareness, prevention and the identification of evolving scam patterns.
The organisation will also support greater intelligence and knowledge sharing, connecting its work in India with international efforts to address scams that increasingly cross borders, platforms and technologies.
RWASJ Joins GASA Africa as an Associated Organisation
Rural Women’s Action for Sustainability and Justice (RWASJ) has joined the GASA Africa Chapter as an Associated Organisation, bringing grassroots experience in digital inclusion, safety and community engagement to the network.
Based in Cameroon, the women-led civil society organisation works with rural women, girls, young people and vulnerable communities through advocacy, education and community initiatives. Its work spans digital inclusion and safety, human rights, economic empowerment and efforts to address organised crime and exploitation.
Through the GASA Africa Chapter, RWASJ will contribute its community networks and experience to strengthen scam awareness and digital literacy, particularly among vulnerable communities.
Lay the Foundation for a Scam-Free Future: Join GASA Today!
Become a key player in the global effort to eradicate scams and online fraud. By joining the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), you’ll gain access to cutting-edge intelligence, engage in meaningful collaboration, and contribute to building a safer digital ecosystem.
As a Foundation Member, you’ll help shape the future of scam prevention, protect consumers, and disrupt global fraud networks. Unite with leading organisations like Amazon, Google, Mastercard, TrendLife, and many more to tackle this growing threat. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Get in touch to learn about the exclusive benefits of GASA membership and how you can take action now.
Research Working Group: New Research on Fraudulent Tickets and Robocall Scam Tactics
The GASA Research Working Group met on 17 September to hear new research on consumers’ ability to identify fraudulent event tickets and the tactics used in millions of scam and spam robocalls.
Prof. Yaniv Hanoch of the University of Wolverhampton presented research involving 604 participants that found just 42% of fraudulent tickets were correctly identified. Simple interventions improved detection by up to 30%, and by almost 40% for fraudulent tickets containing misspelt words.
Ryan Moore of The University of Texas at Austin and Dr Doug Shadel of Fraud Prevention Strategies presented an analysis of 4.49 million robocall transcripts, examining the tactics used in scam calls and how those targeting older adults differ from those targeting the general public.
Watch the Research Working Group presentations to explore the findings in full.
Insights from the Global Anti-Scam Summit Latin America Roundtable
A roundtable at the Global Anti-Scam Summit America 2026 brought together representatives from Latin America and North America to discuss what is needed to strengthen cross-regional collaboration against digital scams.
The discussion highlighted fragmentation across fraud prevention, cybersecurity, anti-money laundering, telecommunications, digital platforms and public authorities, and the need for better coordination and information sharing between them. Participants also looked at how clearer consumer guidance and simpler reporting processes could encourage people to report scams more quickly.
The session also connected faster reporting with the possibility of recovering stolen funds and explored how consumer reports can be combined with data held by financial institutions, platforms and telecommunications companies to improve detection, investigation and response.
GASA Mexico Workshop Examines the Role of Journalism in Digital Scam Prevention
A workshop organised by GASA Mexico, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Tec-Check brought together journalists and editors from 16 media outlets to examine the role of communication in preventing digital scams.
Using UNODC’s Handbook on Effective Communication Strategies for the Prevention of Organized Fraud as a framework, participants discussed how journalists can inform the public without blaming victims, reinforcing harmful stereotypes or inadvertently facilitating fraudsters’ methods.
The workshop also examined the gap between awareness and action, the importance of explaining how manipulation works and the need to give people clear guidance on verification, reporting and what to do after a scam. It was followed by 24 verified media publications, many of which incorporated principles discussed during the session.
Tackling Organised Fraud: A Way Forward from the Global Fraud Summit
A high-level event hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) brought together governments, international organisations and the private sector to discuss how commitments from the Global Fraud Summit can be translated into concrete action.
The discussion focused on priorities including stronger national anti-fraud systems, cross-border cooperation, public-private partnerships, better use of technology and data and victim protection. Speakers also shared approaches being taken in countries including Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Canada and Nigeria, alongside perspectives from INTERPOL and the private sector.
The full 78-minute session is now available to watch on UN Web TV.
A new article from Library of Cons takes a closer look at findings from the State of Scams in the USA 2026 Report and a discussion held at the Global Anti-Scam Summit America in San Francisco.
The article features Chris Willis, CMO of Outseer, and Paige Schaffer, CEO of Iris OnWatch, who discuss why Americans face such high exposure to scams despite growing confidence in their ability to recognise them. The US report found that 82% of Americans encountered a scam in the past year.
Willis and Schaffer point to several factors behind the problem, including increasingly professional scam operations, real-time payments, the amount of personal information available online and the role of data brokers. They also discuss how quickly scam tactics are evolving and why greater awareness does not always mean greater protection.
GASA is building a global repository of effective and transferable best practices that make fraud and scams more difficult to execute or help prevent harm.
Practitioners and organisations are invited to submit successful initiatives, policies, tools and interventions. Selected submissions may be published on the GASA website to help others learn from and implement proven approaches.
Anyone can submit an example of a best practice – you do not need to be a GASA member.
GASA Working Groups bring members together to contribute their expertise to practical guidance, frameworks, policy input and tools across education, intelligence sharing, enforcement, prevention and intervention, research, and finance.
UK and Cambodia to Strengthen Cooperation Against Online Scam Networks
The UK and Cambodia are set to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation against criminal networks operating online scam centres.
The agreement will support closer intelligence sharing, financial and digital investigations and protections for trafficking victims linked to scam operations. It was announced as UK Minister of State for the Home Office Lord Hanson visits Cambodia for the International Conference on Combating Online Scams from 22–24 September.
The UK is also supporting INTERPOL’s Global Fraud Taskforce and Operation Shadow Storm, which is targeting large-scale scam compounds in Southeast Asia.
US House Passes Bill to Strengthen Financial Fraud Investigations
The US House of Representatives has passed the Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception (GUARD) Act, legislation aimed at strengthening law enforcement capacity to investigate elder financial fraud, investment scams and other forms of financial fraud.
The bill would allow eligible federal grant funding to be used by state, local and Tribal law enforcement to hire specialist investigators, provide training and acquire tools for complex financial investigations. It specifically covers elder financial fraud, general financial fraud and so-called “pig butchering” scams, including the use of blockchain tracing tools in investigations.
The legislation also calls for federal reporting on the scale and impact of scams and financial fraud in the US. Having passed the House, the bill has now been received by the Senate.
The Associated Press and FRONTLINE have created an interactive challenge that asks readers to distinguish authentic images, videos and voices from content manipulated or generated using AI.
Developed with generative AI experts from ForenSwiss and GetReal Security, the quiz demonstrates how traditional signs of deepfakes, such as unnatural blinking, distorted features or robotic voices, are becoming increasingly difficult to rely on.
The challenge also highlights a broader shift in scam prevention: as AI-generated content becomes more convincing, checking where content came from and independently verifying its source can be more reliable than trying to spot a fake by sight or sound alone.
Alongside the global GASA newsletter, we also publish chapter-level newsletters to reflect how scams are evolving in different parts of the world.
These editions focus on scam trends, research, policy developments, and cross-sector activity specific to your local context, informed by the work of GASA chapters and partners on the ground.
You can choose the regions most relevant to you and receive updates from Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, Oceania, and Southeast Asia, alongside global updates from GASA.
October – State of Scams Across Africa Webinar Series
GASA will host three webinars presenting findings from the State of Scams in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria 2026 reports. Each session will examine the scam landscape within the country and compare its findings with trends across Africa.
The webinars will explore emerging scam types, their economic and social impact and the role of technologies such as AI, social media, digital payments and cryptocurrencies. Speakers will also discuss practical approaches to prevention, consumer protection, regulation and cross-sector collaboration.
State of Scams inSouth Africa
Speakers
Poppy Kweyama Executive Manager, National Consumer Commission, South Africa
5–8 October – Financial Inclusion Week 2026: Jorij Abraham to Deliver Keynote
Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, will deliver a keynote at the 12th annual Financial Inclusion Week 2026, hosted by the Center for Financial Inclusion.
Under the theme Inclusive Innovation: Building Financial Systems that Work for Everyone, the fully virtual event will bring together more than 300 expert speakers and thousands of participants to explore how emerging technologies can advance financial inclusion for underserved communities, rather than leave them behind.
Jorij's keynote will take place on 8 October at 4:45 PM UTC / 12:45 PM ET. The programme will also feature several sessions focused on fraud and scams.
8 October – GASA and Google Ghana to Host Trust & Safety Workshop in Accra
The Trust & Safety Workshop, hosted by the GASA Africa Chapter with Google Ghana, will bring together stakeholders in Accra for a closed-door, invite-only working session.
The workshop will focus on agreeing shared priorities and developing pilot initiatives that can be implemented within 90 days, with clear owners and milestones. Participants will also work towards a framework for continued coordination and follow-up.
14 October – Mexico Anti-Scam Forum Moves from Coalition to Action
TheMexico Anti-Scam Forum 2026, co-organised with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Ministry of Finance (SHCP–UIF), will bring together approximately 150 senior officials, industry leaders and cross-sector stakeholders in Mexico City.
The Forum will officially publish the State of Scams in Mexico 2026 report and move through three stages – establishing the scale of the challenge, examining how scams operate across sectors and identifying the conditions needed for a coordinated national and international response.
The agenda is now available, detailing the programme for the day as participants work towards concrete agreements, responsibilities and next steps.
Date:14 October 2026 Location: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), Mexico City
-1.jpg?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=Newsletter%20(1)-1.jpg)
