A comprehensive report authored by Jacob Sims, a visiting fellow at Harvard University’s Asia Center, suggests that Cambodia’s online fraud industry continues to operate through a sophisticated system of elite protection. While the Cambodian government has reported the closure of over 600 scam-linked locations and the detention of nearly 30,000 suspects since 2025, the report argues that these measures have failed to dismantle the underlying architecture that allows such networks to thrive.
Published by the National Democratic Institute and Inca Digital, the 120-page document outlines what Sims describes as a "scam state architecture." The study alleges that political and law enforcement figures act as "elite mediators," facilitating connections between criminal operations and political protection. The report asserts that "no politically exposed domestic elites have faced credible prosecution" and that the institutional framework supporting these illicit activities remains intact.
The research highlights the case of Hun To, a cousin of Prime Minister Hun Manet, who previously confirmed a 30% stake in the now-defunct payment platform Huione Pay. According to the report, blockchain analysis indicates that over $170 million linked to Huione Pay wallets was transferred to cryptocurrency wallets sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for their ties to Iran’s central bank. The report also identifies a network of international consultants and lobbyists who allegedly assist Cambodian officials in managing their legal and reputational risks.
In response to the report, Ministry of Interior spokesperson Touch Sokhak denied allegations against Interior Minister Sar Sokha, stating that the minister is not involved in criminal activity. Sokhak noted that the minister has faced threats from criminals and received recognition from FBI Director Kash Patel during a visit in July. Regarding potential U.S. sanctions, Sokhak stated that the U.S. government relies on "facts, legal principles, and concrete evidence" rather than acting solely on requests from lawmakers.
The report comes as U.S. congressional leaders have renewed calls for sanctions against several high-ranking Cambodian officials, including Sar Sokha, Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun, and Hun To. While the Cambodian government maintains that it has successfully targeted industrial-scale compounds, it has acknowledged that fraud networks have shifted toward smaller, decentralized operations.
Source: CamboJA News
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