South Korea-Cambodia Anti-Scam Effort Gains Ground Amid Expanding Crackdown
A joint anti-scam task force launched by South Korea and Cambodia has arrested around 130 suspects within two months, marking early progress in a widening campaign against transnational online fraud.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said the “Korea Task Force,” formed in coordination with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, delivered “meaningful results” shortly after its deployment.
Lee credited the outcome to strong cooperation between law enforcement agencies in both countries and reaffirmed Seoul’s commitment to working closely with Phnom Penh to dismantle cross-border scam networks targeting Korean citizens.
Hun Manet, in a separate statement, said Cambodia would “never back down” from fighting online fraud, describing cybercrime as a borderless threat requiring international cooperation.
The arrests come as Cambodia intensifies its nationwide “XXL” campaign aimed at eliminating online scam operations before the Khmer New Year in April. Authorities have shut down suspected scam compounds, repurposed facilities into temporary detention centers, and offered cash rewards to citizens who report illicit activities.
Officials say the crackdown has already led to the arrest and repatriation of thousands of foreign nationals linked to digital fraud in recent years.
Analysts note that sustained enforcement will be critical for Cambodia to restore investor confidence and strengthen its regional security partnerships, particularly as cyber-enabled crimes continue to expand across Southeast Asia.
