(Phnom Penh, 2nd) – United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Cambodia, Andrews, has warned that transnational cybercrime syndicates have become one of Cambodia’s most severe human rights challenges. He publicly questioned the Cambodian government as to why, while conducting large-scale crackdowns on online fraud, it has not undertaken in-depth investigations into political and business elites suspected of involvement in cybercrime.
According to the Phnom Penh Times, Andrews, at a press conference on Friday (July 31) following his first official visit to Cambodia, pointed out that the Cambodian government has taken tough action to combat online scams over the past year. According to the head of the National Committee for Combating Online Fraud, authorities have busted over 600 scam facilities, are preparing to prosecute around 3,000 suspects, and have revoked or suspended 29 casino licenses.
However, Andrews cited officials and researchers as saying that scam syndicates continue to operate within Cambodia, with many groups evading crackdowns by relocating and changing operational tactics. Additionally, corruption among officials has undermined law enforcement effectiveness, and syndicates often receive advance warnings before police raids, enabling timely escapes.
Andrews expressed two main concerns. Firstly, that the Cambodian government has yet to take action against high-ranking officials and elites suspected of involvement in cyber fraud. He stressed that, to eradicate online scams, the government must sever ties between criminal networks and political-business elites, and investigate and prosecute all those involved.
Andrews expressed two main concerns. Firstly, that the Cambodian government has yet to take action against high-ranking officials and elites suspected of involvement in cyber fraud. He stressed that, to eradicate online scams, the government must sever ties between criminal networks and political-business elites, and investigate and prosecute all those involved.
Andrews also expressed concern for the plight of victims in scam compounds. He said that, according to credible reports, over 100,000 people have been trafficked to Cambodia, detained in scam compounds where they suffer abuse and torture, and are forced to engage in online fraud. While some have been rescued, thousands have ended up homeless, penniless and without passports to return home.
Andrews said, “What worries me is that currently there may be thousands of trafficking victims in Cambodia in desperate circumstances, yet they are receiving little or no assistance from the Cambodian government, their own governments, or humanitarian agencies.”
Cambodian authorities stated that they are conducting identification procedures to distinguish victims from criminals, but this task is facing manpower shortages.
UN Special Rapporteur: Thailand and Cambodia Should Cooperate to Enable Cambodian Refugees to Return Home
Andrews also visited the Thai-Cambodian border during this trip. In an interview with AFP, he noted that since two rounds of armed conflict erupted on the border between Thailand and Cambodia last year, about 650,000 Cambodian civilians have been displaced, with more than 20,000 still unable to return home, and some towns and villages occupied by Thai soldiers.
He said that under international law, people displaced by armed conflict have the right to return home. Thailand and Cambodia should work together to expedite the return of the refugees.
Thailand has previously denied illegally occupying Cambodian territory and insists that actions by the Thai military are in line with bilateral ceasefire agreements.