Cambodia Enhances Cooperation with UK on Online Scam Crackdown

Cambodia and the United Kingdom have agreed to enhance close cooperation to eradicate cross-border crimes, including cyber fraud. The interior ministries of both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines information sharing, exchange of criminal data, capacity building for law enforcement officers, anti-money laundering measures, and confiscation of assets obtained through fraud. The MOU was officially signed by Cambodian Minister of Interior, Mr. Sar Sokha, and his British counterpart, Lord Hanson, at the Ministry's headquarters in Phnom Penh on the afternoon of September 23, 2026. According to the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, the MOU establishes a special task force, which will supplement existing task forces Cambodia has with Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Korea, Japan, and Australia. Lord Hanson described the signing of the MOU as not only a new historical step in the relationship between the law enforcement forces of the two countries but also a clear warning to technology criminals that Cambodia is not a safe haven for illegal activities. He also affirmed Britain's readiness to share experiences, best practices, and cooperate closely with Cambodia, viewing Cambodia as an important partner in the region. During their meeting prior to the MOU signing, Mr. Sar Sokha highlighted the strong will and concrete results achieved by the Cambodian government in combating cyber fraud. He informed his British counterpart that in operations to suppress these crimes, Cambodia has expelled over 50,000 foreigners, some of whom have returned to their home countries, while others have left for neighboring countries like Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Regarding law enforcement, Mr. Sokha stated that since the implementation of the Law on Combating Cyber Fraud in April 2026, Cambodian authorities have built cases and sent approximately 2,200 individuals involved to court, with more cases being prepared. The head of Cambodia's Interior Ministry added that from October 1, 2026, Cambodia will no longer permit online casinos and online betting within casinos. This measure is intended to cut off the root cause of online fraud, as authorities have found that the growth of online gambling has led Cambodia into the abyss of cyber fraud crimes. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local