Cambodia will never be 'safe haven' for scammers, PM promises

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet declared during an anti-fraud summit that Cambodia would never be a safe haven for cyber scams. Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia and Myanmar, has become a hotspot for crime syndicates operating scam operations. Hun Manet announced a high-profile crackdown last year that completely dismantled small-scale scam centers.

However, the move was not dismissed as a public relations campaign, as Cambodian authorities aimed to permanently eradicate criminal networks and prevent their re-emergence. The country acted under pressure from China and the United States, which have accused Cambodia of allowing scam activities that generate billions of dollars in illicit profits annually.

Despite the efforts, researchers suggest that scammers have dispersed to smaller locations, and some centers were given advance notice of raids. While the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime praised Cambodia's efforts, more action is needed at national, regional, and international levels. Chinese and FBI officials also voiced support for Cambodia's cooperation but warned that the breeding ground for telecom fraud has not been fully rooted out.

Estimates suggest that transnational criminal organizations in Southeast Asia defrauded Americans of at least US$18.2 billion through cyber-enabled scams in 2025 alone.