FILE PHOTO: In this photo released by Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams, South Korean lawmaker, Kim Seok-Ki, front center, and his delegation members visit a building complex that was allegedly used for online scam work, outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. - CCOS via AP
PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian government has reiterated its commitment to fighting and suppressing all forms of transnational crime, including cyber fraud, human trafficking and other cybercrimes, and urged closer cooperation from the international community.
An October 23 statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation highlighted the complexity of challenges related to online scams, which transcend borders through modern technology, encrypted messages, digital currencies and cross-border labour recruitment systems.
It explained that this complexity makes it difficult to distinguish between victims and perpetrators, even though many individuals involved in scam operations are victims of trafficking and coercion.
It noted that over the past two years, Cambodia has intensified nationwide operations to identify, investigate and crack down on cyber fraud networks. Authorities have worked in concert, implementing targeted inspections, raids and arrests of ringleaders and their accomplices, as well as seizing criminal assets such as cash, cryptocurrency, vehicles and real estate.
Cambodia is implementing stronger preventive measures against cybercrime, including a new inter-ministerial coordination mechanism, enhanced digital surveillance and the suspension of websites and business licenses associated with illegal operations, added the statement.
"The Royal Government has also taken strict administrative measures, including the revocation of 120 business licenses, the suspension of over 1,000 gambling-related websites and the freezing of illegal bank accounts linked to cyber fraud schemes,” it said.
The Kingdom is currently prosecuting an anti-online scam campaign, yielding thousands of arrests. Cambodia is also preparing to establish a national anti-cybercrime task force and enhance digital forensic capabilities, while continuing to cooperate with its partners to strengthen cross-border law enforcement frameworks and cyber governance.
The ministry noted that Cambodia continues to work closely with regional and international partners, including South Korea, China and Asean member states, through joint investigations, intelligence sharing and mutual legal assistance.
"As criminals leverage technology and borders, our response to these crimes must similarly be carried out under cooperation and coordination. Through cooperation, not blame, the Kingdom of Cambodia will continue to pursue criminals, protect and rescue victims, and maintain social safety, order and the dignity of all people,” said the ministry. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
