Image from Facebook Hun Manet
Cambodian government Prime Minister Hun Manet confirmed that the government is seriously cracking down on online scam networks after closing down more than 670 illegal call centers. He acknowledged that criminals have adapted and diversified their networks.
On July 24, 2026, at 11:19 AM, Bloomberg News reported that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced an escalation of efforts to crack down on transnational call center gangs and online crime. He acknowledged that criminal groups have adapted by fragmenting their networks into more widespread subgroups, making suppression more complex than before.
In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg Television, Hun Manet revealed that Cambodian authorities have shut down more than 670 illegal online scam operations and are expanding intelligence cooperation with international law enforcement agencies, including discussions with FBI Director Kash Patel during his visit to Cambodia this week.
"We will make Cambodia a country where call center gangs cannot survive and it's not worth operating there."
Hun Manet stated that technology makes it easier for fraud networks to operate in a decentralized manner, making tracking and suppression more challenging than in the past.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos have become hubs for large online scam networks. Although many governments have increased their crackdowns, human rights groups and the United Nations (UN) believe the results have been limited.
Cambodia is facing pressure from both the United States and China following allegations that a multi-billion dollar fraud network, including human trafficking and forced labor, is operating with the protection of individuals close to the political and business elite.
Previously, the United States sanctioned Cambodian senators Ly Yong Phat and Kok An on allegations of involvement in human trafficking networks, forced labor, and call center scams that defrauded American citizens.
However, Hun Manet stated that the case is in the judicial process and affirmed that the government is continuously investigating both government officials and businessmen involved.
"We have already taken action against several government officials, including dismissals and prosecutions, as well as some generals and provincial governors."
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that the damage from online fraud in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand last year amounted to US$114,000 billion.
Meanwhile, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol stated in another interview that the call center industry does not benefit the country economically; on the contrary, it undermines investor confidence and affects tourism. He reiterated the government's commitment to eradicating online scam networks.
Furthermore, Hun Manet addressed the Thai-Cambodian border issue, urging Thailand to resume border demarcation negotiations as soon as possible to allow the more than 20,000 people who were displaced from the border area to return home.
Although both countries are under a ceasefire agreement following clashes last year, Hun Manet stated that the situation remains fragile as troops from both sides continue to stand face-to-face along the border.
He also rejected Thailand's accusation that Cambodia's push for the maritime boundary issue to be brought before the United Nations was the reason for the stalled land boundary negotiations, emphasizing that land and maritime boundary negotiations are separate processes under distinct legal frameworks and should continue concurrently.
Reference: bloomberg.com
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