Cambodia no 'safe haven' for scams, Prime Minister tells anti-fraud summit

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet declared during the opening of a global conference on cyberfraud that the country would not be a safe haven for transnational scam syndicates. In an address in Phnom Penh, Hun Manet emphasized that Cambodia would not tolerate the undermining of its progress and the livelihood of over 17 million Cambodians by criminal syndicates. He also expressed support for increased international cooperation, including real-time intelligence sharing.

Cambodian authorities claim they have dismantled industrial-scale scam compounds, a claim met with skepticism by some analysts who argue that high-level figures have evaded detection. The conference reflects a growing willingness to cooperate, according to Delphine Schantz, the regional representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

However, she acknowledged that more needs to be done, both nationally and internationally, to address key trends and establish coherent regulatory frameworks, such as investing in digital evidence collection.

Southeast Asian nations have emerged as hubs for the transnational cyberscam industry, primarily run by Chinese-led criminal gangs. These syndicates operate centers where victims are detained and coerced into carrying out various scams, including romance scams and police-impersonation fraud. In recent months, the Cambodian government has conducted raids on these compounds, allegedly deporting hundreds of thousands of individuals.

However, analysts and opposition figures argue that politically connected figures linked to these networks have remained unscathed, while criminal groups have adapted by forming smaller units and relocating operations overseas.

Opposition politician Mu Sochua criticized the crackdown, stating that the credibility of the efforts will depend on the willingness of the Cambodian state to investigate all credible allegations, regardless of the alleged perpetrators' wealth, influence, or official positions.