The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime recently released its 2025 Global Organized Crime Index. According to the report, Cambodia faced growing risks from non-violent transnational crime, particularly online scams, illegal online gambling and money laundering. Cambodia ranked among the world’s top 20, with online scams remaining a major challenge.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak responded that a higher ranking did not mean public security had worsened, but reflected stricter and more frequent enforcement. ‘No country can be completely free of crime. Cambodia’s higher ranking precisely shows that we are more active in combating transnational crime, money laundering and online scams,’ he said.
Touch Sokhak said cybercrime was a global problem affecting many developed countries as well as Cambodia. In recent years, the Cambodian government had worked with the United States and other countries against trafficking, money laundering and online scams. Police had carried out repeated operations that year, arresting more than 650 suspected online scammers in Bavet, Svay Rieng, in early November alone. More than 15,000 foreign nationals linked to scams had been deported during the seventh government’s term, he said.
Human rights groups said the government had shown a positive attitude towards tackling cybercrime but still needed stronger enforcement capacity and anti-corruption mechanisms. They recommended improving the legal system and enforcement transparency, protecting victims’ rights and strengthening international cooperation to better address transnational crime.
Compiled report.
