Cambodian nationals have fallen victim to online fraud syndicates to the tune of $26.2 million since early 2025, according to National Police Commissioner Sar Theth, underscoring that the kingdom faces threats both as a hub for scam operations and as a source of victims.

Addressing the International Conference on Combating Online Scams (ICCOS) on September 24, Theth revealed that authorities logged 1,136 fraud complaints from Cambodian citizens throughout 2025, representing approximately $4.7 million in financial losses. Alarmingly, only 51 of those cases were successfully resolved.

The trend has accelerated this year, with 1,084 new complaints filed in the first eight months alone, accounting for roughly $21.5 million in stolen funds. Of these, a mere 42 cases have been closed, Theth disclosed.

The police chief did not specify the types of fraud schemes employed or clarify whether the perpetrators were Cambodian or foreign actors.

Theth pointed to several obstacles hampering law enforcement efforts, including the sophisticated technology and communications infrastructure leveraged by criminal organizations, as well as challenges in tracing illicit financial flows. He also noted that public understanding of fraud risks remains insufficient.

Another significant challenge, he said, is that police have largely succeeded in apprehending only low-ranking operatives, while the masterminds behind major scam networks continue to operate from overseas bases. This makes it nearly impossible to dismantle the criminal enterprises at their source.

Compounding these difficulties, Theth explained, are procedural delays caused by detained suspects carrying expired identification documents, which stall repatriation and deportation processes while leaving Cambodia responsible for associated costs.

The commissioner urged stronger collaboration between nations and international bodies to "break the chain and combat these borderless crimes."