Cambodia showcases scams crackdown with global conference

Cambodia displayed a decommissioned scam operation, complete with counterfeit currency and a mock police station, ahead of an international conference on combating fraud. The event, attended by around 20 countries including the US and China, comes amid international pressure on Phnom Penh to better combat the multi-billion-dollar online scam industry.

Southeast Asia has become a hotspot for crime syndicates that run scam centers, employing thousands of scammers, some of whom may be trafficked. Cambodia is accused of allowing scams to flourish, with estimates suggesting the industry generated up to half of the country's formal GDP in recent years. A high-profile crackdown began in 2025 under Chinese influence and pressure from the US and other countries, but analysts say the industry has dispersed to smaller, lesser-known locations, and many centers were warned of raids ahead of time.

The conference, with senior US and Chinese officials in attendance, aims to boost collective anti-fraud efforts, but analysts doubt the crackdown will have lasting impact, as illicit networks and financial institutions remain intact. Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun, named by US congressmen for potential sanction, will deliver closing remarks.

Authorities showcased a large scam center near the Vietnamese border, employing about 20,000 scammers, complete with soundproofed booths and counterfeit US$100 bills. However, officials concede that criminals are adapting, operating from rented homes, hotels, or vehicles. While authorities have closed 663 scam sites and frozen US$300 million in scam-related accounts, experts argue that there has been little effort to investigate the closed sites or interview those involved, and the syndicates continue to evolve and target new languages and regions.