Google Funded $5 Million Scam Awareness Program
The SCAM Ready ASEAN initiative aims to train over half a million learners across 11 Southeast Asian nations.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Scholarships
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Google has committed $5 million to launch the SCAM Ready ASEAN campaign, an initiative designed to combat rising fraud across Southeast Asia. The program aims to reach 550,000 learners through workshops led by 2,000 master trainers.
Why it matters
With global scam losses reaching nearly $24 billion in 2024, the initiative provides critical education to help communities identify and prevent online fraud. It also integrates training on the ethical use of artificial intelligence to address evolving digital threats.
The program will deploy 2,000 master trainers who undergo 10 hours of preparation to educate 550,000 participants. The Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines aims to reach 1 million beneficiaries within the country alone.
The players
Google is a global technology company providing funding and resources to support digital literacy and online safety.
ASEAN Foundation
The ASEAN Foundation is an organization that promotes greater awareness of the ASEAN identity and helps build a people-oriented community.
Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines
The Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines acts as the local implementing partner for financial literacy and scam awareness programs.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is the central bank of the Philippines responsible for maintaining financial stability and overseeing banking regulations.
The details
The program partners with the Department of Education and the Knowledge Channel to deliver awareness training in local languages. In the Philippines, 105 master trainers will lead workshops that also align with existing financial literacy initiatives from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Timeline
Global scam losses reached $24 billion in 2024.
Google announced the $5 million funding program on October 12, 2026.
The full rollout of scam awareness workshops is set for December 2026 to January 2027.
The SCAM Ready ASEAN project is scheduled to continue through 2028.
Culture Shift
This program marks a pivot toward systemic digital defense in response to the massive financial damage documented by the 2024 global scam loss total of nearly $24 billion. It signals a move away from passive observation toward active, community-led technological literacy in Southeast Asia.
Participants can expect to gain practical skills for identifying fraud, which is especially vital given that nearly 80% of Filipinos have already been contacted by a scammer. These workshops will change daily digital habits by teaching residents how to verify communications and use AI ethically.
The takeaway
Empowering local communities with standardized training is a key strategy for reducing the success rate of digital fraud. Residents should prioritize skepticism when receiving unsolicited communications and utilize official financial literacy resources.
What happens next
The full rollout of the scam awareness workshops is scheduled to take place between December 2026 and January 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about initiatives aimed at fostering educational resources at Scholarships.
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