Regional analysis shows Asia-Pacific facing a complex blend of digital payment vulnerabilities, super-
app fraud risks and cultural barriers to reporting. Rising AI-enabled deception, ESG misrepresentation
and crypto-related schemes signal the need for governance models tailored to the region’s behavioural
and technological realities.
Karachi, November 18, 2025: According to ACCA’s new report, Combatting fraud in a perfect storm,
organisations across Asia-Pacific are contending with a diverse and fast-evolving fraud landscape, shaped
by procurement fraud (34%), bribery and corruption (20%), and growing blind spots in crypto fraud and
ESG misrepresentation. Rapid innovation in digital payments and super-app platforms has expanded
attack surfaces, with AI-enabled deception accelerating the speed and sophistication of fraud across the
region.
Cultural dynamics remain a defining factor. In many Asia-Pacific markets, openly discussing fraud is still
perceived as disloyalty, and hierarchical norms discourage whistleblowing. Independence of investigators
and clear protections against retaliation are therefore critical, particularly for junior staff, who reported
the highest levels of concern.
Drawing on responses from over 2,000 professionals and 31 roundtable discussions around the world, the
study – launched during International Fraud Awareness Week – underscores the need to embed
behavioural risk assessments and align fraud-prevention efforts with local cultural realities. Conventional
controls alone are no longer sufficient in a region where technological change is reshaping financial,
commercial and consumer ecosystems at speed.
Regional survey results show reporting ease averaging 3.82/5, with junior staff the most concerned about
retaliation, highlighting a persistent imbalance in power dynamics that restricts upward reporting.
Respondents emphasised the importance of culturally attuned governance, transparency of process, and
leadership-led accountability to build trust.
In collaboration with ACFE, IIA, CISI, ISC2, Airmic and ACi, the report introduces a new Prevalence vs
Materiality matrix lens to help organisations make better decisions about allocating resources before
fraud diminishes them. Through its companion Calls to Action and Thematic Typology, the report also
provides new guidance on assessing what works and doesn’t – and crucially how to incorporate
behavioural insights into risk governance, moving fraud prevention from compliance theatre to
operational reality.
Key regional findings:
Procurement fraud (34%) and bribery and corruption (20%) are major concerns across Asia-
Pacific.
Crypto fraud and ESG misrepresentation are rising blind spots in rapidly digitising markets.
AI-enabled deception accelerates attack speed and challenges traditional controls.
Reporting ease averages 3.82/5, with junior staff most concerned about retaliation.
Independence of investigators, clearer reporting policies and culturally sensitive frameworks are
critical enablers for speaking up.
Fraud prevention must be tailored to hierarchical norms, cultural dynamics and the region’s
expanding digital ecosystem.
‘Asia-Pacific’s fraud risks are shaped as much by culture as by technology, said Rachael Johnson, head of
risk management and corporate governance in ACCA’s policy and insights team. ‘Digital innovation
brings enormous opportunity, but it also accelerates misinformation and deception. Organisations must
recognise how hierarchical norms and fear of retaliation limit visibility, creating cultural barriers to
governance that supports safe, trusted reporting.’
‘Addressing fraud in Asia-Pacific requires culturally grounded solutions,’ said Pulkit Abrol, director of
Asia- Pacific, ACCA. ‘Independence in investigations, behavioural risk assessments and clear reporting
frameworks are essential if organisations are to keep pace with rapidly evolving digital and operational
threats.’
The report calls for a collective reset, urging organisations to strengthen proactive detection, embed
accountability and align governance structures with the behavioural realities of the region. It emphasises
that preventing modern fraud requires cross-functional collaboration, culturally sensitive oversight and
ensuring integrity is integrated across digital, organisational and supply-chain ecosystems.
Download the full report: https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/professional-insights/risk/combatting-
fraud.html
