Sihanoukville Television, September 11 — Although Cambodia has stepped up its fight against online scams in recent years, most key figures controlling these cross-border networks remain overseas, posing major challenges to arresting and bringing them to justice.
Interior Ministry spokesman Touch Sokhak said the government has repeatedly conducted large operations in Cambodia, arresting many suspects and rescuing thousands of victims, including Filipinos, Chinese and Vietnamese. Many victims were lured to Cambodia by false job advertisements and then forced into scam activities.
“Most of the core controllers of scam groups operating in Cambodia are not in the country, making it difficult for us to catch the real masterminds,” he said. He stressed that the groups are tightly hierarchical: masterminds maintain secrecy by remote control while lower-level personnel carry out the crimes locally.
To address increasingly sophisticated methods, the government is strengthening enforcement capacity, investing in modern monitoring and tracking equipment and establishing the National Committee for Combating Online Scams under Prime Minister Hun Manet’s personal leadership. The committee directs nationwide raids, tracks scam groups and coordinates inter-agency and international cooperation.
Touch Sokhak said fighting online scams is a long-term challenge, particularly as crime crosses borders and techniques become more complex. He called for stronger regional and global cooperation and stressed that Cambodia will not tolerate online scams within its territory.
“Every operation shows our determination, but the real masterminds are often hidden overseas and must be brought to justice through international cooperation,” he added.
Industry observers said Cambodia has demonstrated proactive enforcement and technical measures, but more effective action against transnational fraud still depends on regional and international cooperation.
Compiled by this station.
