United Kingdom and Vietnam sign agreement to strengthen cooperation against international fraud

A joint front against cross-border scams

The MoU reflects a shared commitment to address the increasing scale and sophistication of fraud networks operating across borders, particularly in Southeast Asia, where scam centers have become a significant regional threat. Both governments acknowledged that such activities undermine national security, economic stability, and public trust.

Under the agreement, the UK and Vietnam will enhance information and intelligence sharing, exchange best practices on fraud prevention, and strengthen law enforcement collaboration. The initiative also includes joint efforts to build public awareness campaigns, share policy expertise, and improve coordination through ASEAN regional mechanisms.

Key areas of cooperation

The MoU identifies several main areas of joint action:

• Information sharing: Both countries will exchange data on fraud typologies, trends, enablers, and victim profiles to improve their understanding of emerging threats.

• Law enforcement cooperation: The agreement provides for closer coordination between national agencies on intelligence exchange, criminal investigations, and the recovery of assets linked to international fraud.

• Policy exchange: The two sides will work together to develop national fraud strategies, promote community-based prevention programs, and share lessons learned in combating illicit financial flows.

• Regional engagement: Vietnam and the UK will collaborate through ASEAN-led forums, including the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC), to promote regional alignment and cooperation.

• Global coordination: Both countries will contribute to the Global Fraud Summit, co-hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and INTERPOL, focusing on raising political prioritization, strengthening law enforcement responses, and establishing a multilateral mechanism to oversee the global fraud effort.

Promoting security, trust, and resilience

Officials from both nations emphasized that the MoU underscores their shared determination to protect citizens, businesses, and financial systems from cross-border scams and cyber-enabled fraud. The agreement also reinforces the importance of transparency, sovereignty, and mutual benefit in international cooperation.

A detailed Plan of Action, annexed to the MoU, outlines practical measures such as joint research projects, capacity-building programs, and training initiatives for law enforcement agencies. It also reaffirms the commitment of both sides to monitor progress through regular bilateral meetings and ensure continuous adaptation to evolving threats.

A regional and global commitment

The UK–Vietnam partnership complements broader ASEAN and UN initiatives to establish consistent global standards for combating financial and cyber fraud. Both governments view this collaboration as a model for cross-border cooperation in tackling emerging transnational crimes that exploit digital networks and financial systems.

The MoU will remain in effect for five years, with the possibility of extension upon mutual agreement.