On October 12, 2023, Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening cross-border efforts to tackle solicited and unlawful communications, including scams.

The MOU focuses on enhancing cooperation in regulatory enforcement activities concerning scams, particularly those conducted through communication channels like calls and mobile messaging. It also aims to facilitate improved information exchange regarding regulatory frameworks, as well as technical and policy solutions to combat unsolicited communications in both nations.

Lew Chuen Hong, CEO of IMDA, signed the agreement with FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel during a ceremony in Washington, DC, on October 11. Lew highlighted the significance of international collaboration in addressing online scams, which frequently cross national borders. He stated, “The agreement builds on the strong ties between Singapore and the United States in working towards safeguarding our digital environment.”

The need for such collaboration is underscored by alarming statistics: Singapore saw a total of 31,728 scam cases reported in 2022, a significant rise from 23,933 cases in 2021, representing an increase of 32.6 percent.

Rosenworcel emphasized the global nature of scam threats, remarking, “Robocall scams do not respect international borders and are a problem for consumers and businesses around the world. It is critical that we work closely with partners like our colleagues in Singapore, who share our commitment to fight robocall scams and unmasking the bad actors behind them.”