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Officials ordered to dismantle scams, but past failures shadow effort

The Cambodian government has ordered a nationwide crackdown on online scams, citing rising threats from foreign criminal networks, as international pressure mounts over alleged state complicity and Thailand ramps up its own response amid a tense border dispute. ...

Seoung Nimol and Khuon Narim
https://cambojanews.com/officials-ordered-to-dismantle-scams-but-past-failures-shadow-effort/

July 16 online scam crackdowns see almost 750 foreigners detained

Just a day after Prime Minister Hun Manet ordered a renewed crackdown on online scam operations, the authorities have arrested nearly 750 suspects across three provinces and the capital.​ ...

Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/july-16-online-scam-crackdowns-see-almost-750-foreigners-detained

Vietnamese online scammers busted in Sihanoukville

The Preah Sihanouk Provincial Police Commissioner have reiterated their firm commitment to suppressing all crimes and maintaining security for tourists in the coastal province, particularly regarding online fraud. Last week, authorities detained over 40 Vietnamese nationals for cybercrime. ...

Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/vietnamese-online-scammers-busted-in-sihanoukville

Manet orders renewed focus on online scam crackdown

The Cambodian government has issued yet another executive order for authorities to crack down on online scam operations, with the goal of making existing mechanisms more effective. ...

Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/manet-orders-renewed-focus-on-online-scam-crackdown

Suspect who used AI-generated fake news to solicit funds arrested

A Siem Reap man, who allegedly using artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake news and solicit charitable donations through multiple Facebook accounts, has been arrested. ...

Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/suspect-who-used-ai-generated-fake-news-to-solicit-funds-arrested

Thai authorities raid Cambodian Senator Kok An’s Thai home and properties

Thai authorities on Tuesday coordinated raids on 19 properties in and around Bangkok linked to Cambodian tycoon and senator Kok An, in a rare crackdown on actors with alleged ties to the cyberscam industry and the latest sign of deteriorating ties between the two countries. ...

Visal Visnu
https://cambojanews.com/thai-authorities-raid-cambodian-senator-kok-ans-thai-home-and-properties/

Phnom Penh sets up anti-scam task force amid rising online scams

Phnom Penh has established a special committee to crack down on online scams, following an order from Prime Minister Hun Manet. ...

Sovann Sreypich
https://cambojanews.com/phnom-penh-sets-up-anti-scam-task-force-amid-rising-online-scams/

Hun Sen: ‘Thailand has dropped a rock on its own foot’

Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen has publicly commended Thai authorities for their recent operations targeting online crimes within their borders, noting that such actions will help stem the flow of cybercrime into Cambodia. ...

Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-sen-thailand-has-dropped-a-rock-on-its-own-foot-

Amnesty accuses Cambodian government of ignoring human rights abuses in scam compounds

Amnesty International accused the Cambodian government of deliberately ignoring widespread human rights abuses—including human trafficking, forced labor, child labor, slavery, and torture—carried out in more than 50 scamming compounds across the country. ...

Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/amnesty-accuses-cambodian-government-of-ignoring-human-rights-abuses-in-scam-compounds/

Government spokesperson highlights ‘irrational’ claims by Thai leader

A Cambodian government spokesperson has pointed out “irrational claims” made by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. On June 23, she claimed that Thailand had decided to cut electricity, internet, and oil and gas supplies to Cambodia, when in fact Cambodia had already shut down these ...

Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/government-spokesperson-highlights-irrational-claims-by-thai-leader

Five admit involvement in $36.9M scam and laundering ring in Cambodia

Despite five men pleading guilty in the US to being involved in a multi-million dollar scam and money laundering operation in Cambodia, according to the US Department of Justice, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Interior refutes claims that scam centres exist in the country, arguing that ...

Mao Sreypich
https://kiripost.com/stories/five-admit-involvement-in-369m-scam-and-laundering-ring-in-cambodia

Officials: Tech gaps hamper fight against online fraud and trafficking

As digital technologies reshape societies worldwide, Cambodia finds itself confronting a growing wave of online fraud and human trafficking that experts say is complicated by significant gaps in technological expertise, alongside accusations from some international media and organisations. ...

Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/officials-tech-gaps-hamper-fight-against-online-fraud-and-trafficking

Urgent action needed to dismantle scam compounds in Cambodia and Southeast Asia – UN

UN experts are sounding the alarm over a humanitarian crisis unfolding in Southeast Asia, urging immediate, human rights-based action to dismantle scam compounds—including in Cambodia—where hundreds of thousands of people are “trafficked, trapped, and forced into online criminal operations”. ...

Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/urgent-action-needed-to-dismantle-scam-compounds-in-cambodia-and-southeast-asia-un/

Vocal critic Heng Sithy extradited to Cambodia on ‘blackmail’ charges

Former Okhna Heng Sithy, who has levelled accusations of corruption and complicity in online scam operations at senior members of the Cambodian government, has been extradited from Russia to face charges of “aggravated blackmail”. He arrived in the Kingdom last night, May 24. ...

Post Staff
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/vocal-critic-heng-sithy-extradited-to-cambodia-on-blackmail-charges-

U.S. researcher’s report names 28 for sanctions over ruling party scam links; govt denies

A blistering report by a prominent U.S. crime expert, disallowed from returning to Cambodia by his employer in 2023 over alleged threats, has triggered a wave of condemnation from Cambodian officials after calling for expanded U.S. sanctions on elites linked to the country’s online scam ...

Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/u-s-researchers-report-names-28-for-sanctions-over-ruling-party-scam-links-govt-denies/

Cambodia rejects accusations of cybercrime collusion, calls it political plot

The Cambodian government has dismissed a recent international report alleging that the Kingdom is a global epicentre for transnational cybercrime, calling it politically motivated and lacking in scientific credibility. ...

Hong Raksmey
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cambodia-rejects-accusations-of-cybercrime-collusion-calls-it-political-plot

Thailand, Cambodia deepen cooperation, address cybercrime and labor issues

 Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra strengthened 75 years of diplomatic ties, signing seven cooperation deals on labor, infrastructure, and border development, while also addressing issues like online scams, migrant workers, and security. ...

Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/thailand-cambodia-deepen-cooperation-address-cybercrime-and-labor-issues/

Manet, Paetongtarn pledge stronger anti-crime, military cooperation

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra have jointly announced an agreement to enhance cooperation between the two countries in combating online scams. ...

Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/manet-paetongtarn-pledge-stronger-anti-crime-military-cooperation

Xi’s visit brings deals, not Chinese loans

Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up a five-day, three-nation Southeast Asia tour on Friday with 37 new agreements inked in Phnom Penh. ...

Seoung Nimol and Coby Hobbs
https://cambojanews.com/xis-visit-brings-deals-not-chinese-loans/

China pledges support for action against online crimes, climate change

During his April 17-18 state visit to Cambodia, Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the Kingdom’s efforts to crack down on illegal online gambling and scam operations. ...

Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/china-pledges-support-for-action-against-online-crimes-climate-change

They beat me in the dark’: survivor details abuse in Cambodia’s emerging scam hub

A translator who said she was brutally abused inside a building in the emerging scam compound city of Sampov Poun is demanding justice, accusing police of delaying action. Kandal provincial police met with her on Monday, following her appearance on a local media outlet. ...

Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/they-beat-me-in-the-dark-survivor-details-abuse-in-cambodias-emerging-scam-hub/

Phnom Penh scam raid nets 186, but trafficking, enforcement concerns persist

Cambodian authorities raided an online scam center in Phnom Penh on March 31, detaining 186 foreigners accused of running internet fraud schemes, the Cambodia-China Times reported. ...

Seoung Nimol
https://cambojanews.com/phnom-penh-scam-raid-nets-186-but-trafficking-enforcement-concerns-persist/

Human trafficking cases surge in 2024, deportation of offenders doubles

Enforcement action against human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Cambodia increased in 2024, with authorities cracking down on a total of 197 cases, up by 33 from the previous year. The number of foreign offenders deported from Cambodia surged by more than double. ...

Niem Chheng
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/human-trafficking-cases-surge-in-2024-deportation-of-offenders-doubles

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