The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has affirmed Cambodia's intensified efforts to combat online fraud. As a well-known hotspot for scams in Southeast Asia, Cambodia has gradually progressed in addressing related crimes involving money laundering and human rights violations in recent years. UNODC mentioned that these types of online scams generate approximately $4 billion in illegal income annually, and its regional coordinator has met with Cambodian officials, promising continued support for local efforts against cybercrime. Over the past year, Cambodia has arrested thousands of individuals involved in scams, focusing on types such as the "pig butchering" scam, but the underlying issues of corruption and official complicity in the industry remain highly controversial. Relevant Southeast Asian online scam governance compliance cases can be referenced on the PASA official website.
Effectiveness of the Crackdown: Thousands Arrested, International Support Gained
The crackdown in Cambodia has achieved phased results, also aided by international organizations:
Significant arrest scale: Over the past year, thousands of individuals involved in scams have been arrested, specifically targeting modes such as the "pig butchering" scam — these scams use online dating and cryptocurrencies as bait to gain victims' trust, then lure them into participating in fake get-rich-quick schemes to defraud them;
International collaboration advanced: UNODC Regional Coordinator Rebecca Miller met with Chaisina Rith, head of Cambodia's Committee on Cybercrime, in Phnom Penh, clearly committing to ongoing support for local efforts against cybercrime;
Huge harm from crime: The online scam industry brings in $4 billion in illegal income for criminal groups annually, with victims worldwide suffering multiple harms including financial losses and rights violations.
Deep-rooted Problems: Corruption and Official Complicity as Protective Umbrellas
The scam industry persists despite prohibitions, with deep-seated corruption as a core issue:
Multiple confirmations of complicity: The U.S. State Department has found that "corruption and official complicity" are key to the persistence of online scams in Cambodia; UNODC Deputy Director Jeremy Douglas bluntly states that Cambodia has become a "safe haven" for such crimes, with the government either uninvolved or unwilling to intervene;
Expert reveals logic: Lee Morgan Besser, Associate Professor at Griffith University in Australia, points out that authoritarian regimes often bind with corruption, providing protection for illegal activities to elites in exchange for loyalty, making Cambodia a "haven for filth";
Difficult situation for victims: Criminal groups lure job seekers to scam hubs under the guise of recruitment, then force them to work in scam operations, with some also facing threats of abuse. The United Nations estimates that there are 100,000 foreign workers trapped in such scam industries in Southeast Asia.
Scam Disguise: Operating under the Guise of Gambling, Involving Transnational Crime
Scam hubs in Cambodia often operate under disguise to evade regulation and crackdown:
Disguised as gambling institutions: Similar to the scam hubs banned in the Philippines in 2024, many scam hubs in Cambodia operate under the guise of online gambling operators;
Arrest of leaders causes shock: This month, Chen Zhi (transliterated), suspected of leading transnational online scams, was arrested, with his Prince Group in Phnom Penh alleged to have ties to the local casino industry;
Mass exodus of personnel: Following Chen Zhi's arrest, thousands of foreign workers fled from a suspicious scam center in Sihanoukville, a hub for both offline and online casinos, highlighting the massive scale of the scam industry.
Subsequent Demands: Comprehensive Investigation, Accountability for Responsible Parties
The international community has made clear demands on Cambodia, calling for a thorough cleanup of the scam industry:
Exposing governance weaknesses: Montse Ferrer from Amnesty International states that the escape of foreign workers not only reflects the astonishing scale of the scam industry but also exposes the Cambodian government's failure in investigation and accountability;
Core action requirements: Ferrer calls for a comprehensive investigation of all scam hubs across the country if the Cambodian government is truly committed to ending this "slave-driven" industry, without selective enforcement;
Long-term governance challenges: Although the arrest operations have achieved some success, to completely eradicate online scams, Cambodia still needs to solve deep-rooted issues such as corruption and official complicity to truly restore regional security and industry order.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original in-depth gambling channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
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PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
