Cambodia to Combat Cyber Scams, PM Vows 'No Safe Haven for Criminals'

Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia declared at an international conference on combating cyber scams, held in Phnom Penh on September 23, 2026, that the country will resolutely refuse to become a safe haven for cyber fraud. The Prime Minister emphasized that "criminal networks will never be allowed to harm Cambodia's progress and the lives of its over 17 million citizens." The Prime Minister stated that the cyber scam industry did not originate in Cambodia, nor is it confined solely to Cambodia. The country's initial involvement was linked to the growth of online gambling and casino-related businesses. Subsequently, criminal networks have rapidly evolved and adapted across borders, exploiting real estate, regulatory loopholes, and complex cross-border telecommunications networks to build a cross-border scam ecosystem. The Cambodian government asserted its full responsibility for ensuring border security, enforcing laws, and restoring national sovereignty, vowing to implement stringent domestic measures. As a testament to this commitment, the Counter-Cyber Scams Committee (CCOS), directly under the Prime Minister, was established in February 2025, and the Law on Combating Cyber Scams was enacted in April 2026. These measures have facilitated a unified campaign involving government agencies and society as a whole, aiming to eradicate scam networks. This is regarded not merely as a public relations campaign but as a permanent national security imperative. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of prioritizing cyber scam countermeasures as a top national security concern. He pointed out that establishing a central body like the CCOS is crucial for facilitating information sharing, financial intelligence exchange, law enforcement coordination, and collaboration with local authorities and all pillars of the state. He also highlighted the necessity of rapidly adapting to the evolving strategies of criminal networks and maintaining high professional ethics. Furthermore, he called for international solidarity, stating that stronger international cooperation is indispensable to counter the robust unity of criminal networks. He cautioned that cyber scam countermeasures should not be used as a political tool against other countries or as a pretext for violating sovereignty. Instead, he emphasized that sincere and mutually respectful cooperation is essential for resolving this cross-border challenge, noting that no single country can effectively address this issue alone. In conclusion, the Prime Minister proposed ongoing public awareness campaigns, emphasizing the responsibility of the financial and technological ecosystems, and presented five points for international cooperation: real-time intelligence sharing, advanced financial investigations, harmonization of legal and operational frameworks, public-private partnerships, and victim protection. Cambodia expressed its full commitment to taking resolute measures and fostering cooperation based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and shared accountability.