Justice Minister: Cambodia ‘a victim’ of global cybercrime

PHNOM PENH, April 3, 2026 (KPT) – Justice Minister Koeut Rith said Friday that Cambodia has become a victim of global cybercrime, warning that online scams run largely by foreign nationals are damaging the country’s security, economy and international reputation.

Speaking at a press conference on the draft “Law on Combating Online Scams,” Koeut Rith stressed that Cambodia had become a base for criminal operations carried out by non-Cambodians targeting other foreigners.

“Foreigners who are not Cambodian nationals have been scamming other foreigners, and they have committed online and cybercrimes within Cambodia,” he said.

He underlined that Cambodian citizens were not responsible for such activities and that the country derived no benefit from scams conducted inside its borders.

Instead, he said, the operations had caused “severe impacts” on Cambodia’s image abroad.
The minister warned that cybercrime posed increasing risks to national security and economic stability, undermining tourism and other legitimate industries.

He described online scams as a matter of national security requiring coordinated action to eradicate networks and prevent further operations.

Koeut Rith noted that cybercrime differs from traditional crimes such as drug trafficking or human trafficking, which are typically addressed within national law enforcement frameworks.

Online scams, he said, have evolved into a broader economic and reputational challenge, affecting Cambodia’s “honour and dignity” on the global stage.

The draft law would give authorities new powers to investigate, prosecute and dismantle scam centres, reinforcing Cambodia’s commitment to confront a rapidly evolving global threat.