Cambodian PM Calls for Enhanced International Cooperation Against Online Scams

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet has proposed enhancing international cooperation with countries and relevant parties to jointly combat technological crimes (Online Scams). Cambodia has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to taking measures to eradicate this crime. Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet affirmed that Cambodia is fully committed to taking continuous measures and fostering cooperation based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and shared accountability. The Cambodian Prime Minister made these remarks during the official opening ceremony of the International Conference on Combating Technological Scams, held in Phnom Penh on the morning of September 23, 2026. This international conference takes place at a time when technological scams have become a global security threat, evolving into complex transnational criminal networks for the world. The conference, initiated and hosted by Cambodia, aims to showcase the political commitment of the Cambodian government, as well as the results of the campaign to eradicate technological scams without exception and without retreat, while also promoting open international cooperation. Through the aforementioned conference, Samdech Thipadei proposed five points for stronger international cooperation, focusing on real-time intelligence sharing, high-level financial investigations, greater harmonization of legal frameworks and operations, public-private partnerships, and victim protection. Regarding intelligence sharing, Samdech Thipadei urged partner countries to double their efforts in immediate response communication networks between national and international law enforcement agencies to track criminal cells and disrupt decentralized criminal groups operating across borders. For financial intelligence institutions, Samdech proposed that they should cooperate and utilize platforms that enable rapid tracking of illicit financial flows, identification of ultimate beneficial owners, freezing of virtual assets, and suppression of informal banking networks. For international partners, Samdech requested harmonization of mutual legal assistance frameworks, facilitation of extradition procedures, and promotion of the sharing of digital forensic evidence to prevent criminals from exploiting gaps in legal jurisdiction. Another important point for international cooperation, the Cambodian Prime Minister, through the conference, urged governments to build operational partnerships with commercial banks, telecommunications operators, technology platforms, and cryptocurrency exchanges to detect scam activities in advance, block suspicious digital infrastructure, and freeze accounts involved in illegal cases. The final proposal from the Cambodian Prime Minister is that governments and international organizations should strengthen the process of identifying victims and facilitate diplomatic procedures to ensure the protection and safe repatriation of victims to their home countries. Samdech Thipadei stated that the collective commitment to confronting these complex challenges must be matched with concrete actions and joint efforts. He also expressed his hope that through the International Conference on Combating Technological Scams, hosted by Cambodia, all international partners will adopt the Phnom Penh Declaration on September 24, 2026, which he considers a testament to the shared commitment to break the chain and eradicate technological scams permanently.