Across Asia–Pacific, scams and fraud in digital payments are rising sharply. As payment systems speed up, criminals exploit fragmented standards and limited information-sharing, eroding customer trust and straining operational and regulatory systems. For consumers – especially those new to digital finance – one scam can remove confidence entirely, while providers face higher costs, disrupted operations, and inconsistent rules across markets. Despite significant investment, anti-scam efforts remain isolated because markets lack alignment.

This Working Group exists to make digital payments across Asia-Pacific trusted by design, ensuring people and businesses can participate confidently by reducing scam harm and closing the gaps that allow fraud to flourish. Its focus is on building alignment by harmonising definitions, improving data models and strengthening cross-border operational collaboration so members can detect, prevent and respond to scams more effectively.

The EPAA Fraud and Scam in Payments Working Group addresses regional fragmentation by bringing together banks, PSPs, fintechs, platforms and risk innovators to translate proven approaches into consistent practices. Through shared evidence, common principles and practical pilots, members work on initiatives such as scam taxonomy alignment, incident data-sharing, inclusive safety design and trust-retention research. The Group supports a safer, more coordinated payments environment where every institution contributes to reducing scam harm and reinforcing trust in the region’s digital economy.

• Unified fraud and scam taxonomy
• Develop principles and mechanisms for timely, privacy-safe sharing of red flags, typologies and incident data across institutions and markets
• Inclusive and secure customer design
• Strengthen safeguards for vulnerable users by embedding behavioural insights, friction at key risk points and clearer safety communication
• Impact–Effort Assessment Matrix for priority fraud controls