The fraud may begin here (in Southeast Asia). But the money moves across borders, through the global financial system and its major financial centres.Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has called on the United Kingdom to assist member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in combating and dismantling various online scam syndicates.During the ASEAN-UK Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, on Wednesday (July 22), Sugiono noted that nearly two out of three adults in Southeast Asia have been targeted by digital scams.According to a statement released on Thursday, he said that financial losses caused by these criminal activities across the region could reach as much as US$23.6 billion annually.”The fraud may begin here (in Southeast Asia). But the money moves across borders, through the global financial system and its major financial centres. And what can be moved, can be traced,” Sugiono said.To address the growing threat, he invited the UK to strengthen financial intelligence and law enforcement cooperation with ASEAN. He emphasized the importance of preventing and detecting online scams, tracing illicit financial flows, and protecting victims.”This is the standard Indonesia proposes: cooperation our peoples can actually feel,” he said.Beyond combating cyber fraud, Sugiono also urged the UK to deepen cooperation with ASEAN on the energy transition.He advocated expanding equitable access to clean energy for all communities, including those in remote areas, through the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund initiative.”When the transition reaches everyone, it delivers more than clean energy. It delivers shared prosperity,” the minister said.Indonesia also expressed support for strengthening human capital development through the ASEAN-UK Chevening Scholarships program.The United Kingdom has been an ASEAN Dialogue Partner since 2021.The high-level meeting in Manila was also attended by UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, who was appointed on Monday (July 20) under the new UK government led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.Previously, under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government, Miliband served as secretary of state for energy security and net zero.