Google expanded its campaign against online scams across the Asia Pacific region, committing USD 6 million through Google.org to help individuals and small businesses stay safe online. The company will direct the funds to The Asia Foundation and the Tech for Good Institute.
The announcement comes as organized fraud networks use more sophisticated tactics across the region. Google cited a UN estimate that scam losses across East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand reached up to USD 114.1 billion in 2025.
The USD 6 million program will support community-level training on scam resilience. It will also support the development of AI-powered defense prototypes and provide policymakers with insights to improve anti-fraud measures.
Google is adding more device-level protections. Android’s new Fake Call Detection feature identifies AI-driven impersonation calls, while Pixel devices alert users to potential scams in popular messaging apps.
Google said the initiative builds on its support for local organisations such as Bamboo Builders in Singapore and the Taiwan FactCheck Center. It also extends the ASEAN Foundation’s Scam Ready ASEAN program, which brings scam-prevention resources to millions of people.
The company is also expanding Android developer verification to reduce risks from malicious apps distributed outside Google Play. It said it plans to bring scam-detection features to more Android users later this year.
Google joined the Industry Accord Against Online Scams and Fraud, a cross-industry effort to share threat intelligence and coordinate defenses. It also helped establish the Japan Anti-Scam Alliance to align public and private institutions against fraud networks. The tech giant further said that a combined approach involving product safeguards, partnerships and public awareness remains central to tackling transnational fraud.
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