Cambodia Plans National Center to Combat Online Scams

Cambodia is stepping up its efforts to combat the growing wave of online scams globally and within the country. In a high-level forum at the International Conference on Fighting Technology-Based Scams on September 23, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sar Sokha, outlined four primary reasons contributing to the rise of these illicit activities. The four key factors identified by Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha are: first, the ease of committing offenses with just internet access and an electronic device; second, loopholes in the laws and jurisdictions between different countries; third, the low capital expenditure yielding high returns; and fourth, the shift in people's lifestyles and commerce from direct interaction to digital payments and cryptocurrency transactions. Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha emphasized that the Cambodian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, considers the fight against online scams a top priority. He noted the implementation of the "Law on Fighting Technology-Based Scams" and the continuous rollout of mechanisms, including the establishment of an ad-hoc committee and the issuance of relevant legal frameworks and regulations. Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior is actively studying the feasibility of establishing a "National Center for Fighting Technology-Based Scams" to enhance the efficiency and timeliness of addressing these cases. He reiterated that these legal frameworks and mechanisms are in place to support and fulfill the government's firm political commitment to eradicate online scams from Cambodia and prevent their recurrence. Statistics presented by the Deputy Prime Minister revealed that from July 2025 to June 30, 2026, specialized forces from the Ministry of Interior cracked down on 665 online scam locations and inspected 28,512 targeted areas. Through these operations, 268 cases were forwarded to the courts, involving 2,773 suspects, with 2,200 currently detained. Additionally, 21,102 foreigners from 38 nationalities involved in online scams were deported from Cambodia. Cambodia also affirmed its commitment to international cooperation. Beyond domestic law enforcement, Cambodian authorities are collaborating with partner countries and international organizations to apprehend key masterminds and are continuing efforts to capture fugitives, aiming to dismantle these criminal networks at their roots. Cambodia hosted the "International Conference on Fighting Technology-Based Scams (ICCOS)" from September 23 to 24, 2026, under the theme "Together Towards Severing the Chain and Ending Technology-Based Scams." The conference was attended by government leaders from over 27 countries, seven major international organizations, and more than 1,000 national and international guests.