Cambodia rejects U.S. trafficking report as biased, defends crackdown on online scams

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct.02, 2025) — The Cambodian government has rejected the U.S. State Department’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, which placed Cambodia on Tier 3 for the third consecutive year, calling the assessment “biased” and “unfair.”

Officials in Phnom Penh said the report fails to reflect Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and transnational cyber scams. The U.S. report accuses the government of failing to meet minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and of not making significant efforts to improve.

It also alleges complicity by senior officials in online scam operations, including intimidation of victims and obstruction of investigations.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak dismissed the allegations, saying the report does not represent the full picture. “This is a biased report that does not reflect Cambodia’s real progress,” Sokhak said. “It does not represent the official position of the U.S. government, which has consistently supported Cambodia in its fight against trafficking.”

Sokhak said Cambodian authorities have adopted new laws, formed anti-trafficking committees, and launched coordinated crackdowns on scam networks.

“We have arrested suspects, deported foreign nationals, and prosecuted ringleaders,” he said. “We will continue to clean the country of these crimes.”

Between June 27 and Aug. 18, Cambodian law enforcement conducted operations at 72 scam centers across 18 provinces, arresting approximately 3,170 suspects from 19 nationalities. Authorities deported 2,450 foreign nationals and sent 66 alleged ringleaders to court.

Sokhak emphasized Cambodia’s cooperation with international partners and called for future U.S. reports to reflect a more balanced view.

“We do not deny that challenges exist,” he said. “But we deserve recognition for the hard work and progress we have made.”

Am Sam Ath, operations director of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (LICADHO), acknowledged the government’s efforts but warned that the Tier 3 ranking damages Cambodia’s international image and economic prospects.

“This reflects the perception that Cambodia lacks the political will to seriously tackle human trafficking, especially in the context of online scamming,” Sam Ath said. He urged the government to enforce laws impartially, eliminate corruption, and take action regardless of rank or status.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported in April that transnational criminal groups are expanding operations in Southeast Asia. It noted that increased enforcement in urban areas has pushed these groups into more remote regions, where they face fewer obstacles.

Cambodian authorities continued raids in August and September, often under limited transparency. In each case, dozens to nearly 100 foreign nationals were arrested. The Commission for Combating Technology-Facilitated Scams has yet to release a full report on the outcomes of these operations.