Globally, the money involved is now comparable to the world’s largest illicit drug markets.
And it is hurting people everywhere; according to the Global State of Scams Report 2025 by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance and Feedzai, consumers in 42 countries lost an estimated US$442 billion to scams over the past year.
The Cambodian government says it has been strongly targeting the criminal industry through raids, sanctions and legislation, a move analysts said comes amid rising scrutiny domestically and from countries like China, South Korea and the United States.
In April, Cambodia endorsed its first dedicated anti-scam law, which criminalises technology-based fraud, recruitment and support for scam centres, with penalties reaching life imprisonment in the most serious cases.
“To safeguard Cambodia’s dignity and honour, the country will not permit its territory to serve as a haven for scammers,” said Chhay Sinarith, senior minister and chair of Cambodia’s Commission for Combating Online Scams.
He refuted suggestions that the action was at the request of other countries. “Cambodia is taking this action on its own, not because of foreign pressure,” he said in an exclusive interview with CNA.
Sinarith confirmed that about 300 facilities had been targeted, including dozens of casinos, since last July. Approximately 1,500 individuals, including “mastermind and conspiracy members”, were in prison over their purported involvement, he added.
