United Nations releases major report: Cambodia has become a global hotspot for online scams, replacing Myanmar as the top "black industry" leader
On June 20, 2025, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published a new global assessment report on transnational crime and online scams, pointing out that Cambodia has quickly replaced Myanmar as the region with the most intensive online scam activities.
The report highlights that the border area between Cambodia and Thailand, especially Sihanouk Province and Poipet town near Thailand's Sa Kaeo Province, has become the core stronghold of international scam groups. These transnational crime networks view Cambodia as an "operational base" and "safe harbor," with complex organizational structures and members spread across Asia, Africa, and even Europe and America.
Not only are the border areas deeply involved, but the scope of online scam activities has also spread to several cities within Cambodia itself, including the capital Phnom Penh, the special economic zone Bavet, and the tourist city of Sihanoukville. Scam activities range from online fraud and virtual investment traps to associated forced labor and human trafficking, almost permeating the entire social structure, showing a nationwide and systematic trend.
UNODC specifically warns that the rapid expansion of Cambodian online crime gangs is deeply linked with political power and economic interests. The report cites multiple pieces of investigative evidence indicating that some scam organizations use legitimate companies as cover, but are actually engaged in human trafficking, illegal detention, violent coercion, and scam activities, with some enterprises being listed on the US government's sanctions list.
The report also names some high-level political and business figures in Cambodia who may have economic ties with these illegal networks, making it difficult to carry out deep enforcement actions. Despite repeated promises by the Cambodian authorities to crack down on crime groups, the actual enforcement intensity is highly questionable.
Meanwhile, Thailand has become one of the biggest victim countries. A large number of Thai citizens have been lured to Cambodia to engage in scam activities or have become online scam targets, which has caused strong public dissatisfaction in the country.
In the concluding remarks of the report, UNODC warns that if the Cambodian government does not take swift and decisive measures to combat online crime, "Cambodia will completely become a breeding ground for global online scams," not only threatening the social stability of the country but also becoming a major hidden danger to regional security.
The international community and domestic issues are under pressure, and whether Cambodia will launch substantial anti-corruption and network-clearing actions in the coming months will likely become a focal point of global public opinion.
