Cambodia to Host International Conference on Combating Online Scams; Youth and Citizens Support Government Efforts

Cambodia is set to host an international conference on combating online scams in its capital, Phnom Penh, from September 23-24, 2026. The initiative has garnered enthusiastic support from Cambodian youth and citizens, who commend the government's leadership in organizing this crucial international forum. The conference aims to showcase to the international community Cambodia's experience as a victim of online scams and to foster collaboration with other nations in dismantling these dangerous criminal networks. Online scams are described as complex, interconnected issues involving transnational organized crime. In response, the Cambodian government decided to convene this international conference, bringing together senior officials, policymakers, and law enforcement officers from various countries to discuss and propose strategies for combating these fraudulent activities. It is emphasized that the success of this fight against global crime necessitates active participation from all relevant parties and robust international cooperation. The absence of any stakeholder could signal a lack of political will to address this shared challenge. Since July 2025, the Cambodian government has been actively engaged in efforts to combat online scams. Authorities continue to investigate and enforce strict legal procedures to eradicate this criminal activity. Ms. Ly Siekchou, a university student in Phnom Penh, expressed her support for the conference, viewing it as an opportunity for Cambodia to demonstrate its efforts to the world in tackling online scam syndicates that continue to operate within the country. She believes that hosting the conference will highlight Cambodia's commitment to collaborating with friendly nations and international organizations to eliminate these criminals. "Online scams are a very complex, cross-border organized crime. I believe that through this cooperation, Cambodia will gain knowledge, skills, and experience to strengthen its capabilities and work with other countries to eliminate criminals and prevent them from entering Cambodian territory again," she stated. Mr. Hem Kounthy, a Phnom Penh resident, praised the government and authorities for their efforts, noting that the conference reflects the spirit of cooperation between nations and the global commitment to eradicating illegal online scam activities. He observed that recent government crackdowns have instilled confidence in citizens and both domestic and international investors, contributing to a better business environment. "This international conference is very important for our country, allowing us to present the actual situation to delegations from various countries. It also provides direct cooperation and communication to find strategies for jointly combating crime and cutting off the communication networks of online scam criminals, preventing them from operating in our country and elsewhere in the world," he emphasized. Mr. Sav Thim, the community chief of Phnom Preah in Valea Veng district, Pursat province, stated that he wants to see the government eradicate technology-based scam groups because they not only harm the country's reputation but also negatively impact Cambodia's tourism sector. "These criminals have harassed our citizens and created victims. Their activities threaten not only Cambodia but also people worldwide," he said. He also expressed strong support for the government hosting the international conference, seeing it as a crucial step in combating these scam groups through international collaboration. "The tourism sector has been affected by these scam groups, as foreigners are hesitant to travel due to concerns about scams. In my community, foreign tourists have decreased, while domestic tourists have increased," he added. Relevant authorities are continuing thorough investigations and surveillance of all suspected locations, determined to cut off networks and end technology-based scams decisively, leaving no room for criminals. The government encourages the public and all partners to provide information about suspected scam locations for timely and effective intervention and suppression by the authorities. Cambodia is not only destroying criminal hideouts and dismantling networks but also strengthening its legal mechanisms, continuing to clean up offenses, enhancing technological security management, and promoting close international cooperation to ensure that online scams do not recur. According to a report from the Secretariat of the Committee for the Fight Against Technology-Based Scams (CCASC), a national campaign to eradicate online scam offenses conducted by law enforcement and competent authorities across all 25 provinces and cities from July 2025 to August 31, 2026, has seen continuous operations over approximately 14 months to strike at the roots of online crime, yielding significant results.