Cambodia opens international conference on online scams with US, China and UK participation

Cambodia has opened the International Conference on Combating Online Scams, or ICCOS-2026, in Phnom Penh, bringing together representatives from the FBI, China, the United Kingdom, INTERPOL and other countries and international organisations to strengthen action against increasingly sophisticated cross-border fraud networks.

The two-day event, held on September 23 and 24 at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, is themed Acting Together towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams. Government officials, law enforcement agencies, international organisations, banks, technology companies and other stakeholders are expected to exchange experience and develop joint responses to online scams.

The Cambodian government has used the conference to present its nationwide campaign against technology-driven fraud, saying the effort has delivered major results while warning that stronger international cooperation is still needed to confront criminal groups operating across borders.

The government's Commission for Combating Technology-enabled Scams said Cambodian authorities dismantled 86 scam compounds between July 2024 and August 2026. It also said 27 casinos linked to major online fraud networks have been closed.

The commission reported that 446 cases involving 3,527 suspects from 29 nationalities are currently before the courts. Authorities have also screened and helped repatriate about 22,000 foreigners from 38 nations.

It added that roughly $300 million has been seized from bank accounts connected to the crackdown, while investigations into other assets and properties are continuing.

The government described online scams as a transnational criminal threat requiring a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response. It established the commission to coordinate enforcement, improve cooperation among institutions and address weaknesses that allow scam operations to function across borders.

Its strategy includes strengthening legal frameworks, tightening law enforcement, improving inter-agency coordination and expanding regional and international collaboration to prevent Cambodia from being used as a base for technology-driven fraud.

The crackdown is supported by the Law on Anti-Technology-Driven Fraud, enacted in April. The law provides severe penalties, including life imprisonment in serious cases, and targets ringleaders, accomplices, property owners and other parties who knowingly facilitate such activities.

The government said its campaign is designed to dismantle criminal networks, protect victims, strengthen Cambodia's digital security and contribute to international efforts against online scams.