Cambodia’s Central Bank Calls for Global Cooperation on Transnational Scams

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Oct.28, 2025) — National Bank of Cambodia Governor Dr. Chea Serey underscored the need for international cooperation to combat transnational scam operations during two high-level panels at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and Bloomberg Business Summit, held alongside the 2025 ASEAN Summit.

In remarks delivered during both sessions, Dr.Serey addressed recent allegations surrounding scam centers in Cambodia, calling them “concerning” and “damaging” to the country’s image. However, she emphasized that Cambodia should not be defined by these reports.

“Cambodia offers a favorable investment climate, including tax holidays for qualified projects, access to clean energy, and a newly launched international airport that is fully funded and owned by Cambodians — contrary to many headlines,” she said.

Dr.Chea Serey described scam centers as a “complex global issue” requiring coordinated international action. “Their operations are opaque and interconnected across borders. Scam centers are not just in Cambodia — they are everywhere, and so are the victims,” she said.

She reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to transparency and credibility in the global financial system, noting recent efforts to strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) frameworks. “We will do what it takes to cooperate with relevant authorities to address this issue,” she said.

Beyond enforcement, the governor pointed to the broader challenge of digital literacy in an era where artificial intelligence increasingly blurs the line between reality and deception.

During her visit, Dr.Chea Serey also met with ASEAN business leaders and attended discussions featuring prominent figures including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and Columbia University economist Jeffrey Sachs.