Cambodia Stresses Humanitarian Approach in Cyber Scam Crackdown to UN Rights Expert

Cambodia has highlighted how its nationwide crackdown on technology-based scam operations must be balanced with the need to safeguard the welfare and rights of victims, as authorities continue expanding operations against organised cybercrime networks. The message was delivered during a meeting on July 29 meeting between Chhay Sinarith, head of the Secretariat of the Committee for Combatting Technology-Based Fraud (CCTF), and Thomas Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia. Sinarith framed technology-based fraud as a global crisis rather than a problem unique to Cambodia, stressing that the government remains committed to dismantling scam networks while ensuring humanitarian considerations are not overlooked. He described enforcement efforts as being accompanied by measures to protect the safety and wellbeing of both Cambodian citizens and foreign nationals affected by scam operations. “The implementation of legal procedures is essential to ensuring the success of anti-scam operations, but law enforcement must go hand in hand with humanitarian considerations to prevent victims from suffering further physical or psychological harm,” he said. Sinarith claimed that Cambodia has provided humanitarian assistance to foreign nationals who were lured or trafficked into the country to work in scam compounds and has worked closely with foreign embassies to facilitate their repatriation. The senior minister called for stronger international cooperation to prevent more people around the world from falling victim to increasingly sophisticated cyber scam syndicates. Andrews said he was familiar with the establishment and mandate of the CCTF, describing it as evidence of the Cambodian government’s emphasis on tackling technology-based fraud. He expressed interest in learning more about the current situation and the results of the current campaign, adding that he hoped both sides would continue exchanging views on the issue in the future. The discussions came as provincial authorities continue to step up enforcement against scam operations, particularly in border areas where recent raids have uncovered organised criminal groups using mobile technology to target victims. Speaking to provincial officials on Wednesday, July 29, Banteay Meanchey governor Oum Reatrey warned civil servants to stay away from any involvement in technology-based fraud, saying anyone found complicit would face legal action, without no exceptions. “We are reminding everyone today so that no one may become involved. Once you are involved, the law will not make exceptions,” he said. The governor noted that authorities have observed a shift in the methods used by scam syndicates, with criminals relying increasingly on large numbers of smartphones instead of desktop computers. Referring to a recent crackdown in Poipet, Oum said authorities raided operations involving Chinese, Indonesian and Cambodian suspects who were using mobile phones to carry out online scams. “Just yesterday, three Cambodian suspects were found with around 100 mobile phones. These criminal groups use both smartphones and computers connected to the internet to commit fraud,” he added. Oum acknowledged that many officials were initially unfamiliar with the scale and sophistication of technology-based fraud until they witnessed operations firsthand. “When we first heard about these crimes, many of us did not fully understand what technology-based fraud actually involved. It was only after entering the operational sites that we realised how these criminal networks function,” he said. He outlined several of the most common scam methods encountered by investigators, including romance scams, often designed to persuade victims to transfer money, fake investment opportunities promising unrealistic returns and fraudulent online product sales. According to the governor, these operations are highly organised, with clear chains of command, team leaders and designated supervisors managing different groups inside scam compounds. Authorities maintain that enforcement efforts will continue, in accordance with legal procedures while distinguishing between trafficking victims and those responsible for running criminal enterprises.