Cambodia to Establish National Center to Combat Online Scams Amidst Rising Global Threat

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sar Sokha, has highlighted four main reasons contributing to the global increase in online scams (Online Scams), including in Cambodia. This was stated at the High-Level Forum on Fighting Online Scams on the morning of September 23, 2026, presided over by Prime Minister Hun Manet. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the primary causes are: 1. The ease of committing offenses, requiring only internet access and an electronic device. 2. Loopholes in laws and jurisdictions between different countries. 3. Low capital expenditure yielding high returns. 4. The shift in people's living habits and direct commerce towards digital communication and cryptocurrency transactions. In response to these issues, Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha emphasized that the Cambodian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, considers fighting online scams a top priority. In addition to implementing the "Law on Combating Online Scams," various mechanisms have been put in place, including the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Task Force to Combat Online Scams and the issuance of relevant legal frameworks and regulations. The Ministry of Interior, as the core staff of the government, is also studying the feasibility of establishing a "National Center to Combat Online Scams" to enhance the efficiency and timeliness of addressing these cases, the Deputy Prime Minister added. He stressed that these legal frameworks and mechanisms aim to support and fulfill the firm political commitment of the Prime Minister to "cleanse Cambodia of online scams and prevent their recurrence." During the event, the Deputy Prime Minister reported that from July 2025 to June 30, 2026, specialized forces from the Ministry of Interior cracked down on a total of 665 online scam locations and conducted administrative inspections at 28,512 targeted locations. Through these measures, 268 cases were forwarded to the courts, involving a total of 2,773 suspects, with 2,200 currently detained. Furthermore, 21,102 foreigners of 38 nationalities involved in online scams were deported from Cambodia. Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha affirmed Cambodia's commitment, stating that beyond enforcing laws and implementing measures to suppress online scams, Cambodian authorities are cooperating with partner countries and international organizations. They have apprehended and extradited several key ringleaders and are continuing collaboration to track down and arrest other fugitives, aiming to eradicate these criminal networks at their roots. Source: CEN Cambodia