Cambodia fiercely responded to an analysis by CNA News Agency which claimed that Cambodia was insincere in its efforts to suppress transnational scammer gangs, stating that the content was misleading and represented only the author's personal viewpoint rather than fact-based reporting.
The Cambodian government denied the content of an analysis published on the CNA website on 26 Nov 2025 GMT+7, which criticized Cambodia's efforts to crack down on online scam networks, call centers, and transnational crime. The Ministry of Interior of Cambodia issued a statement saying the article caused misunderstandings and reflected only the emotional and political opinions of the author.
The controversial article was written by Nirmal Ghosh, a senior journalist from the Straits Times with over 30 years of experience, who claimed that although Cambodia had conducted several raids, the apparent progress might be deceptive, and that the online scam industry remained deeply entrenched in the country.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Interior further argued that the article did not reflect reality and disrespected the efforts of officials both domestically and internationally. He emphasized that Cambodia is not the only country in the region facing issues of transnational crime.
The spokesman also noted that even developed countries face similar problems, and that CNA itself had produced investigative documentaries about another Southeast Asian country regarded as a hub for transnational crime, underscoring that such problems occur in many places, not just Cambodia.
The Cambodian government claimed it had seriously and transparently implemented plans to suppress scam centers, call centers, and technology crimes. It revealed recent statistics showing that in 2023, 283 foreign nationals were arrested and deported; in 2024, the number increased to 2,982; and in 2025, 24 cases related to technology fraud have been prosecuted.
Of these, 13 cases resulted from direct investigations, 11 from international cooperation; 1,859 foreign suspects were detained this year, and 11 cases involving 148 suspects, including gang leaders and high-risk groups, have been brought to court.
The government reiterated that the crackdown continues steadily and that Cambodia cooperates closely with several countries including the United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, and others that are also working to address online crime. Priority is given to the safety of Cambodian citizens and foreigners affected by online scam networks in the region.
Source:CNA
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