Melbourne, Aug 8 (The Conversation) In a significant move, the Cambodian government initiated a major crackdown last month targeting the online scam industry thriving within its borders. This operation, which unfolded largely in public view, represents the largest of its kind to date.
On July 16, Prime Minister Hun Manet issued a directive that acknowledged the growing threat posed by these scams. The directive instructed provincial officials, law enforcement, the courts, and the national gambling commission to take immediate action.
As police began raiding scam sites throughout Cambodia, Telegram channels frequented by cybercriminals erupted with warnings about the seriousness of the crackdown. Posts claimed that police were setting up roadblocks across the country, detaining individuals without passports, and demanding bribes for their release. Videos emerged showing evacuations from various compounds.
By late July, the government boasted of its success, announcing raids at nearly 140 locations. These efforts led to the arrest of over 3,000 suspects from at least 19 different countries, with more than half of them hailing from China and Vietnam.
Significantly, authorities claimed that very few of these "suspects" were held against their will. However, our previous research, published in The Conversation, indicates that thousands have been trafficked or duped into these compounds and forced to work under conditions resembling modern slavery.
The crackdown drew praise from China and other nations grappling with the aftermath of such scams—whether through citizen trafficking to Cambodia or scammers targeting their populace.
Despite the extensive operation and the government's commitment to dismantling scam syndicates in Cambodia, there is widespread skepticism about the effectiveness of these efforts in eliminating the industry.
Simmering Border Tensions
The recent crackdown coincided with a brief but intense conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which displaced more than 300,000 people. Analysts attribute the hostilities to long-simmering border tensions and the death of a Cambodian soldier in a skirmish in May.
However, Thailand ties the conflict to its own crackdown on Cambodian scam activities. Earlier this year, it cut power and internet service to Poipet City, a known scam hotspot along the border.
Additionally, in early July, Thailand launched an unprecedented campaign against a powerful Cambodian senator and tycoon. Authorities allege his large properties in Poipet are linked to online scams. The campaign included an arrest warrant, property raids in Thailand, and actions against his children and their assets.
In response, a Cambodian official accused Thailand of acting as a "central hub for transnational crimes" in Southeast Asia and accused it of deflecting the blame onto Cambodia.
The Cambodian Senate's spokesperson dismissed accusations against the senator as exaggerated and false, calling it "revenge." The senator did not respond to media inquiries from Cambodia.
While Thailand has intensified efforts against the scam industry recently, its leaders may be leveraging the issue for domestic support while challenging Cambodian elites they suspect benefit from such operations.
Large Operations Continue Unabated
Amidst this dispute, Cambodian authorities maintain that the crackdown on the scam industry will press on. The latest campaign was national in scope, unlike previous efforts limited mainly to Sihanoukville, another hub for scams.
However, familiar patterns soon emerged. While authorities targeted smaller to mid-sized operations, large operators seemingly remained intact. These major compounds were reportedly forewarned, allowing for evacuation. Many scammers have since moved to sizable compounds near the Vietnam border, operating without disruption.
One such case involved a rescue team member, Ling, who attempted to reach a Chinese man claiming to have been trafficked into a compound in Mondulkiri Province near the border. Although he was unable to pinpoint his location, months of communication helped locate him and assess the scale of the operation.
During a field visit weeks after the crackdown, Ling observed lights flickering at night from buildings nestled in the sparse jungle. With limited access roads, the team couldn't approach without detection. Despite this, the compound was evidently active, as were others in the vicinity. The Chinese man's fate remains unknown.
Addressing the Root Causes
Past crackdowns on scam compounds have failed because they don't address the foundational issues enabling the industry's growth: powerful local networks and the compounds' sophisticated infrastructure.
As long as elites who shield scam operators remain unchallenged, and the infrastructure stays intact, scammers can quickly resume operations when pressure subsides. Arrested individuals are typically low-level workers, not the masterminds behind the schemes.
Post-crackdown, scams swiftly resume, with operators lying low only until the spotlight fades or relocating to safer areas. Equipment and personnel are easily replaced.
Breaking this cycle requires long-term strategies to tackle corruption, weak law enforcement, and other structural issues that support the industry in these regions. Moreover, given the industry's transnational nature and the complicity of authorities and elites in host countries, a concerted global effort is needed from governments, law enforcement, and tech and finance companies whose services are exploited by scammers.
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