UK and Cambodia to Strengthen Cooperation Against Cyber Scams with New MOU

The UK is set to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cambodia to strengthen cooperation against cyber scams during the first visit of Home Secretary Lord Hanson to the country this week. Lord Hanson will attend an international conference on combating cyber fraud. This new MOU marks another step for the UK, following its action to freeze over £16.7 million in assets from fraud criminals linked to a major company in Cambodia accused of running online scam operations. During Lord Hanson's working visit to Cambodia this week, in addition to attending the international anti-SCAM conference in Phnom Penh, he also plans to meet with Cambodian officials, UN agencies, and independent media whose reporting has been used by the UK as evidence for its actions against international online scam centres. The British Embassy stated that the new MOU will support closer sharing of classified information, financial and digital investigations, and stronger protections for victims of human trafficking linked to scam activities. This follows sanctions imposed by the UK and the United States in October 2023 against Prince Group, its chairman Chen Zhi, and several affiliated entities, including Jin Bei Group, Golden Fortune Resorts World, and Byex Exchange, due to their alleged roles in operating scam centres. Frozen assets include a £12 million mansion in North London and a £100 million office building in the City of London. Lord Hanson described scams as a "true global threat," citing financial losses and the exploitation faced by trafficked workers. The UK statement acknowledged Cambodia's recent measures to address scam activities, including new legislation, ongoing law enforcement, and the establishment of a national commission. Article adapted from the original KPT English article.