23/09/2026
A Cancer on Society, A Pretext for War: The Double-Edged Sword of Combating Online Scams
By Youk Chhang
(Published by KHMER TIMES on Monday, September 21, 2026)
Though a seemingly welcome development, the recent prioritization of online scam centers is marred by an undue politicization of the matter, and the upcoming conference represents a good opportunity to reset and restart the international dialogue on this important topic.
Online scam activities and scam-related criminal organizations and systems are some of the darkest and most vile criminal activity because they prey upon vulnerable populations, such as elders, and they depend on, to no small extent, the trafficking and exploitation of people.
Online scam activities and scam-related criminal organizations warrant the highest priority by law enforcement organizations, and national governments and the international community bear great responsibility in confronting this cancer on society.
Notwithstanding the importance of addressing this criminal activity, online scam centers are part of a global criminal ecosystem, and the world needs to carefully evaluate this criminal activity in the context of this environment, in addition to the competing demands on law enforcement and civil society partners. It would be short-sighted to describe online scams and scam-related criminal organizations as the foremost or paramount threat to society; rather, although a horrific category of crime, online scam-related activities are a symptom of a broader societal problem of governance in the face of rapid, revolutionary technological changes. Local, regional and global government frameworks are responding too slowly, inefficiently, and with underwhelming effects in the face of technological changes, which are precipitating, and being influenced by, systemic failures and weaknesses at all levels of society. Targeting the organizations that perpetrate online scam activity is important, but this is just one tactical step in a far greater list of strategic actions that are needed to properly address the shortcomings in global systems, institutions and culture that contribute to the increasing expansion and sophistication of criminal activity in the world.
One shortcoming that is relevant to the current focus on online scam centers in Cambodia is the improper politicization of transnational problems. There is little question that Cambodia has struggled with the rise of online scam centers and criminal networks within its borders, and the recent focus on stamping out these criminal networks is important. However, the rise of online scam centers and more importantly criminal organizations utilizing advanced technology to scale up their capabilities and reach are not a uniquely Cambodian problem. Not coincidentally, the recent focus on online scam centers in Cambodia corresponds with Thailand’s border conflict with Cambodia.
As a sovereign state, Thailand has a legitimate interest in stamping out criminal activities within and along its borders; however, its use of its military in Cambodian territory and its strategic manipulation of the narrative surrounding its employment of its military, all but shows other objectives, outside of law enforcement, were and continue to be at play. This circumstance is further illustrated by the ongoing occupation of Cambodian territory by Thai military forces. Rather than a legitimate response to a criminal problem or a valid national security threat, Thailand has used the existence of online scam centers in Cambodian territory as a pretext to justify the seizure of Cambodian territory that it has sought to control for centuries. Online scam centers do not exist within the Preah Vihear temple area, yet Thai armed forces conducted military operations in this area, along with many other sacred Cambodian temple areas. Thai military forces also occupied civilian property and forced the unlawful displacement of thousands of Cambodian civilians—none of which are justifiably linked to law enforcement or national security. Altogether these actions appear to be motivated by the establishment of a border, through military force, that Thailand could not defend in international courts of law or through diplomatic engagement.
Online scam centers are a serious problem, but when serious transnational problems are twisted into the pretexts for accomplishing other agendas, we mar the trust and integrity that is essential to the vitality of international order. Further, we add inefficiency and political distraction to an extremely complex and difficult portfolio of problems for the international community.
The world’s problems have become far too complex, dynamic and unpredictable to allow for inefficiency, divisiveness and political distraction. Criminal activities thrive in weak, divided governance.
Actions that target these criminal networks will present positive results, but these results will only be enduring if they are based upon well-conceived strategies and strong partnerships. Actions that are taken purely to achieve objectives unrelated to legitimate law enforcement aims will not only undermine the unity of effort for this matter but international unity on other fronts, where the international community is already under-committed, under-resourced and ultimately unprepared to facing the challenges of the 21st century.
The upcoming “International Conference on Combating Online Scams,” that will be held September 23-24, 2026, in Phnom Penh, is an important opportunity to build a foundation for future cooperation between countries, law enforcement and civil society on this important topic.
This event presents a great opportunity to discuss the different aspects of this criminal activity and share ideas on new approaches. The future of the world depends upon strong partnerships and cooperation today, and I am hopeful that there will be renewed dialogue between governments, particularly Cambodia and Thailand, to find not only ways to resolve centuries-old disputes but confront the challenges shared by both sides.
Youk Chhang is Director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, an independent Cambodian research institute that holds the world’s largest historical collection of documents from Khmer Rouge regime.
