The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG), the global institutions supporting monetary stability and economic development, have unveiled the Bangkok Blueprint, a framework intended to help governments stop cyber-enabled fraud before it undermines confidence in digital financial services.
Created in coordination with the Bank of Thailand, the framework gives countries a high-level structure for preventing, identifying and responding to fraud carried out through digital channels. It was launched with the Thai authorities at the 2026 IMF–WBG Annual Meetings.
The move reflects a growing concern that the same digital tools that have widened access to finance and made services faster and cheaper have also handed criminals new advantages.
Fraudsters can now operate with greater speed, reach and technical skill, and their activity is increasingly tied to organised crime groups working across borders. INTERPOL places this type of fraud among the most serious global criminal threats, in the same bracket as money laundering and the drug trade.
At its core, the Blueprint lists 12 key considerations designed to help authorities spot weaknesses in their systems and build joined-up responses. These are grouped under five pillars: setting strategic and legal foundations, reinforcing each stage of the fraud-mitigation life cycle, drawing on existing enforcement and risk-mitigation frameworks, deepening cooperation at home and abroad, and improving consumer protection and resilience.
Because fraud schemes frequently exploit social media, e-commerce sites, digital platforms and telecoms networks, the framework calls for clearly defined responsibilities and prompt collaboration between public bodies and private companies, both nationally and internationally. Countries are encouraged to adapt the considerations to suit their own legal systems, institutions and markets.
The IMF works to support global monetary cooperation and financial stability, while the World Bank Group focuses on economic development and financial inclusion in developing economies. By encouraging a consistent approach across sectors and jurisdictions, the two organisations hope the Blueprint will reinforce public trust in digital finance and allow it to keep driving growth, opportunity and inclusion.
Bank of Thailand governor Vitai Ratanakorn said, “Cyber-enabled fraud has become a global challenge that no country or institution can tackle alone. The Bangkok Blueprint reflects our shared commitment to strengthen cooperation, build trust, and promote a safe and inclusive digital financial future for all.”
World Bank Group managing director and CFO Anshula Kant said, “Digital financial services can be a powerful driver of economic opportunity, jobs, and financial inclusion in developing economies. Strengthening protection against fraud is essential to ensuring that people can use these services with confidence and fully benefit from the opportunities they create.”
Thailand deputy prime minister and finance minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, “As digital finance becomes increasingly interconnected, our response to fraud must be equally connected. The Bangkok Blueprint provides a foundation for stronger cooperation and collective action to protect citizens and strengthen trust in the digital economy.”
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