Cambodia’s cybercrime crackdown faces scepticism

Cambodia claims to have halved activity in scam compounds this year, but rights groups and analysts say there is little evidence to back the bold assertion.

Phnom Penh has come under mounting international pressure to dismantle the cybercrime networks that have flourished in the country, defrauding victims worldwide and trafficking thousands of workers into slave-like conditions. The government insists progress is being made, citing the voluntary departure of more than 210,000 suspected foreign scammers since last June and the deportation of 30,000 more.

Prime Minister Hun Manet has introduced new legislation holding landlords and recruiters accountable for links to scam centres, with fines of up to $1,000 per illegal worker. He insists the crackdown is about safeguarding Cambodia’s future, not simply appeasing critics. Yet Amnesty International and other observers warn of a lack of transparency, noting that authorities have not disclosed which sites have been investigated.

The scepticism is fuelled by Cambodia’s history of promises without follow-through. Analysts argue that elite figures tied to the industry remain untouched, while operators adapt quickly, moving staff and equipment before raids. “Any legitimate effort should start with holding perpetrators at the top to account,” said Jacob Sims of Harvard University’s Asia Center.

Pressure from abroad is intensifying. China, whose nationals are both perpetrators and victims, has pushed hard, with Cambodia extraditing tycoon Chen Zhi earlier this year. The United States has sanctioned Cambodian conglomerates linked to the ruling family, while the FBI has stepped up regional coordination. Washington estimates Americans lost at least $10 billion to Southeast Asia-based scams in 2024.

Despite recent police raids in Phnom Penh, where dozens of suspects were detained and scam scripts in multiple languages uncovered, experts caution that the problem is far from solved. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has described the industry as reaching “industrial proportions,” with revenues estimated at $64 billion annually.

For Cambodia, the stakes are high. The illicit economy has tarnished its reputation, undermined tourism and investment, and strained relations with key allies. Whether the government’s latest measures mark a genuine turning point or simply another attempt to deflect criticism remains an open question.

-2026-03-12