Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha has said that Cambodians were defrauded of nearly $40 million in the first half of the year.
Sokha, who also chairs the National Committee for Combatting Human Trafficking (NCCT), has called on law enforcement and other relevant authorities to ramp up their efforts in the fight against human trafficking, highlighting the increasing sophistication of criminals involved in these activities.
Sokha made these remarks while presiding over the 8th annual “National Interfaith Day against Human Trafficking,” held at the Chroy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Phnom Penh. The event, which focused on the theme “Religious Moral Education in the Prevention of Human Trafficking in the Digital Era,” drew an audience of around 2,500 participants.
During his speech, Sokha emphasized that the methods employed by human traffickers have grown more vicious over time, necessitating a stronger and more coordinated response from all stakeholders involved in prevention efforts.
He noted that while digital technology has made the transfer of money and payment of funds more convenient, it has also inadvertently facilitated criminal activities, particularly online scams linked to human trafficking. Sokha revealed that in the first half of 2024 alone, Cambodians were defrauded of nearly $40 million through online scams, a trend that poses a significant threat to social security if left unchecked.
“Cambodia is facing the same challenges as the rest of the world,” Sokha said.
“In the first six months of 2024, due to online fraud and digital scams, Cambodians lost nearly $40 million. Recovering and returning these funds to victims of high-tech fraud has proven to be a significant challenge.”
Sar Sokha
Sokha also addressed the ongoing issue of criminals luring people to Cambodia with promises of high-paying jobs, only to abduct them upon arrival and force them to work for criminal organizations. He cited the government’s firm response to these illegal activities, noting that during a six-month crackdown on illegal online operations in Sihanoukville, authorities rescued over 1,600 people of eight different nationalities and successfully repatriated them to their home countries.
Sokha underscored that the Cambodian government has no intention of supporting illegal investments in the country. He dismissed any criticisms from human rights organizations regarding Cambodia’s efforts to combat these issues, stating that the government is committed to its strategic plan to improve the country’s image and will continue to tackle the problem head-on.
He also praised the NCCT for developing a clear action plan and providing regular, targeted reports to stakeholders on the fight against human trafficking. Sokha called on all parties involved to intensify their efforts to prevent human trafficking and curb online fraud, stressing that this fight requires collective action across all sectors.
Sokha highlighted the crucial role that Cambodia’s religious groups play in this effort, particularly through the teachings of the Dharma and religious education. He noted that monks can be instrumental in raising awareness among young people, who are especially vulnerable to trafficking and related crimes.
