Singapore and Hong Kong strengthen collaboration to combat scams

1. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore and the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) of Hong Kong, China, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to combat scams. The MOU was signed at the annual bilateral meeting with OFCA, which was held in Singapore on 11 June 2024.

2. Scams is a cross border issue that requires strong cooperation among like-minded partners. Singapore and Hong Kong are both major financial hubs in Asia with robust telecommunications networks. In view of the similarities between Singapore and Hong Kong, and the strong collaboration between both jurisdictions across a variety of other issues, OFCA of Hong Kong, China is a key regulatory partner of Singapore’s IMDA in combatting scams in Asia.

3. The MOU to combat scams was signed by Deputy Chief Executive and Director-General (Telecoms and Post) of IMDA, Ms Aileen Chia, and Director-General of Communications of OFCA, Mr Chaucer Leung. The MOU covers the following key areas of collaboration to combat scams across telecommunications channels, driving a regional coordinated approach to tackle scams and better protect the people of both jurisdictions from scammers:

• Providing assistance and cooperation related to scam telephone calls and text messages i.e. through mutual information exchanges
• Facilitating research and education related to scam telephone calls and text messages
• Facilitating a shared cross-jurisdictional approach to deal with relevant regulatory issues and consumer protection

4. IMDA adopts an international collaborative approach to combat the cross-border issue of scams. IMDA has signed similar MOUs with other jurisdictions, including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the United States Federal Communications Commission, New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.