Cambodia’s Interior Minister Sar Sokha has identified four structural factors behind the global rise of online scams, ranging from the low cost of launching digital crimes to legal gaps between jurisdictions and the rapid shift toward digital commerce and payments.
The two-day conference, held under the theme “Acting Together towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams,” brought together government officials and representatives from multiple countries and international organisations to discuss responses to the growing transnational crime.
Four factors driving the growth of online scams
According to Sar Sokha, four main factors are contributing to the expansion of online scams globally, including in Cambodia.
1. Online scams are relatively easy to conduct
The first factor is the accessibility of digital technology.
Criminals can conduct online scams with relatively basic requirements, principally an internet connection and an electronic device.
This lowers the technical and physical barriers that would otherwise make certain forms of crime more difficult to organise.
2. Legal and jurisdictional gaps
The second factor identified by Sar Sokha is the existence of legal loopholes and differences in jurisdiction between countries.
Online scam networks can operate across borders, meaning investigators and law enforcement authorities may have to work across different legal systems and jurisdictions.
This makes international cooperation an important component of investigations involving transnational criminal networks.
3. Low investment costs and potentially high returns
The third factor is the relatively low capital required to establish online criminal operations compared with the potentially high financial returns.
According to Sar Sokha, this economic incentive contributes to the attractiveness of online scams for organised criminal groups.
4. The shift toward digital lifestyles and commerce
The fourth factor is the rapid transition of everyday activities and commerce toward digital platforms.
People increasingly communicate, conduct transactions and make payments electronically, while cryptocurrencies have also become part of the wider digital financial environment.
This expanding digital ecosystem creates additional channels that criminals can attempt to exploit.
Cambodia strengthens its institutional response
Sar Sokha said the Royal Government has made combating online scams a priority under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Cambodia's response includes implementation of the Law on Combating Online Scams, the establishment of the Ad Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams, and the development of additional legal frameworks and instruments.
The Interior Ministry is also studying the possibility of establishing a National Centre for Combating Online Scams.
According to Sar Sokha, the proposed centre would be intended to strengthen the timely and effective handling of online scam cases. The ministry is currently studying and reviewing the possibility rather than announcing an established institution.
Cambodia reports thousands of inspections and hundreds of cases
Sar Sokha reported that, from July 2025 to June 30, 2026, specialised forces of the Interior Ministry at different levels had cracked down on 665 sites involved in online scams.
Authorities also conducted administrative inspections at 28,512 target locations during the same period.
The operations resulted in 268 cases being sent to court involving 2,773 suspects, with 2,200 suspects reportedly detained.
Authorities also deported 21,102 foreign nationals from 38 nationalities who were identified as being involved in online scam activities, according to the figures presented by Sar Sokha.
Reported enforcement figures
| Indicator | July 2025 to June 30, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Online scam sites targeted | 665 |
| Administrative inspection locations | 28,512 |
| Cases sent to court | 268 |
| Suspects involved in court cases | 2,773 |
| Suspects reported detained | 2,200 |
| Foreign nationals deported | 21,102 |
| Nationalities represented among deportees | 38 |
These figures are government-reported enforcement statistics, rather than independently verified measurements of the overall scale of online scam activity.
International cooperation remains central
Sar Sokha also highlighted cooperation between Cambodia and partner countries and international organisations.
He said cooperation has contributed to the arrest and deportation of several key ringleaders, while authorities continue efforts to identify, locate and arrest fugitives connected to online scam networks.
The emphasis on international cooperation reflects the cross-border nature of online scam operations, particularly where criminal networks, victims, financial transactions and suspects are located in different jurisdictions.
The wider ICCOS-2026 conference itself reflects this international focus. AKP reported that the event brought together representatives from countries across the region and beyond, alongside organisations including INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Phnom Penh Declaration expected to strengthen collective response
The ICCOS-2026 discussions are also linked to the planned Phnom Penh Declaration on Combating Online Scams.
AKP reported that delegates from 27 countries and seven international organisations attended the conference, alongside 347 national and international journalists representing 69 media organisations. The declaration was expected to be adopted on September 24.
The broader objective is to strengthen international cooperation against online scams through coordinated responses, information sharing and law enforcement cooperation.
Angkor Times Analysis
Sar Sokha's four-factor framework points to a problem that extends beyond individual fraudulent messages or isolated cyber incidents.
The first three factors form a basic economic and institutional equation: low barriers to entry, potentially high financial returns and differences between national legal systems.
The fourth factor adds a broader structural dimension. As communication, commerce and payments increasingly move online, more economic activity takes place through digital channels that can potentially be exploited by criminals.
For Cambodia, the reported enforcement figures show the scale of the government's current response. However, the numbers should be understood as reported enforcement activity, not as a measurement of how much online scam activity exists globally or in Cambodia.
The proposed National Centre for Combating Online Scams is also notable because the ministry has described it as a possibility under study rather than a completed institutional reform. If established, its effectiveness would depend on how responsibilities are coordinated with existing law enforcement bodies and international partners.
The international dimension is particularly important. Because online scam networks can operate across borders, domestic enforcement alone cannot address every element of a criminal network. Cooperation involving investigations, information sharing, financial tracing, extradition or deportation and victim protection can therefore become important parts of a wider response.
The Phnom Penh conference places these issues within a broader international discussion, with Cambodia seeking greater coordination among participating countries and organisations.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Conference | International Conference on Combating Online Scams, ICCOS-2026 |
| Location | Phnom Penh |
| Dates | September 23-24, 2026 |
| Theme | “Acting Together towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams” |
| Speaker | Sar Sokha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior |
| Main factors identified | Ease of committing scams, legal gaps, low investment/high potential returns, digitalisation of lifestyles and commerce |
| Scam sites targeted | 665 |
| Locations inspected | 28,512 |
| Cases sent to court | 268 |
| Suspects involved | 2,773 |
| Suspects reported detained | 2,200 |
| Foreign nationals deported | 21,102 |
| Nationalities among deportees | 38 |
| Proposed institutional measure | National Centre for Combating Online Scams |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the four factors behind the rise of online scams?
Sar Sokha identified four factors: the ease of conducting online scams with an internet connection and electronic device, legal and jurisdictional gaps between countries, relatively low investment costs compared with potentially high returns, and the shift toward digital communication, digital payments and cryptocurrency.
What is Cambodia doing to combat online scams?
The government has implemented the Law on Combating Online Scams, established the Ad Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams and introduced other legal frameworks and instruments, according to the Interior Minister.
Is Cambodia establishing a National Centre for Combating Online Scams?
The Interior Ministry is studying and reviewing the possibility of establishing such a centre. It has not been presented as an already established institution.
How many scam sites did Cambodian authorities target?
Sar Sokha reported that authorities targeted 665 sites involved in online scams between July 2025 and June 30, 2026.
How many suspects were sent to court?
Authorities reportedly sent 268 cases involving 2,773 suspects to court during that period, with 2,200 suspects reported detained.
How many foreign nationals were deported?
According to the figures presented by Sar Sokha, 21,102 foreign nationals from 38 nationalities involved in online scam activities were deported during the reporting period.
Why is international cooperation important?
Online scam networks can operate across national borders. Cambodia is therefore emphasising cooperation with partner countries and international organisations to identify suspects, pursue fugitives and disrupt criminal networks.