Cambodia has firmly rejected recent allegations made by Thai Minister of Digital Economy and Society Prasert Jantararuangtong, regarding the presence of large-scale cybercrime networks operating within Cambodia.
In a June 22 statement, Minister of Post and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth decried the claims as “baseless”, “irresponsible”, and “deeply misleading”.
The allegations, published in the Bangkok Post on June 20, suggested that Cambodia may be harbouring some of the world’s largest cybercrime networks, supposedly backed by the country’s ruling elite.
However, the Cambodian government vehemently rejected this characterisation, asserting that it has never supported — and will never tolerate — cybercriminal activity.
“The Royal Government of Cambodia remains fully committed to integrity, transparency and adherence to the rule of law and international norms,” said Vandeth.
“On February 20, 2025, the government established the Commission for Combatting Online Scams to prevent, suppress and crackdown on online scams,” he added.
Cambodia’s response comes amid a broader regional focus on cybercrime, particularly online scams such as the notorious “pig butchering” operations, which have drawn international attention.
Vandeth pointed out that cybercrime is a complex and evolving challenge that transcends national borders.
As such, he called for greater collaboration among Southeast Asian nations, urging Thai authorities to focus on dismantling criminal networks within their own borders and engage in constructive cooperation rather than irresponsible finger-pointing.
He also encouraged cooperation rather than deflecting blame and fostering political tensions.
The allegations come amidst a backdrop of alarming reports from Thai media outlets, which have painted Cambodia as a primary “scam hub”.
However, Vandeth cited several news sources that point out that Thailand is a hub for scam gang leaders, foreign scam operations and a source country for these scam operations in the region.
The minister said Cambodia is concerned by reports about Thai involvement in the scamming industry. This included:
- The complicit relationships between Thai authorities and cybercrime actors in allowing for scam operations to expand;
- Thailand being a hub for scam gang leaders and foreign scam operations;
- and widespread recruitment, abduction, and trafficking from within Thailand to scam centres — one case involved Chinese actor Wang Xing being trafficked from Suvarnabhumi Airport to a scam compound, contributing to a significant decline in Chinese tourism.
- These reports highlight that Thailand acts as a transit point and source country for these scam operations in the region.
A recent documentary by Channel News Asia (CNA) titled How Southeast Asia Became Scam Hub for China-Linked Syndicates, released on June 20, casts a spotlight on Thailand’s role as a critical transit point for trafficked victims heading to scam centres across Southeast Asia.
The CNA report highlights how victims, often lured by promises of employment, are trafficked through Thailand before being smuggled into neighbouring countriess, where they are coerced into participating in fraudulent schemes.
One high-profile case involved Xiao Hao, a Chinese seafarer who was promised a job on a Thai-docked ship, only to find himself forcibly trafficked to Myanmar and coerced into participating in a scam operation.
“Thailand has emerged as a critical transit point for trafficked victims heading to scam centres across the region,” the CNA report claimed.
“While Thailand itself may not directly harbour these operations, it plays a central role in smuggling victims into Cambodia and Myanmar,” it added.
In response to these challenges, Cambodia has reiterated its commitment to regional and global cooperation in the fight against cybercrime.
“Combating cybercrime requires regional collaboration,” said Vandeth.
“Cambodia has consistently worked, and will continue to work, in close cooperation with regional and global partners to combat cybercrime,” he added.
The minister concluded by urging all parties involved to focus on constructive dialogue and fact-based solutions, calling for a united regional front against transnational crime and cybercrime in particular.
