Cambodians lost RM176 million to online scams last year, with some victims blackmailed using explicit content, leading to tragic consequences.

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian citizens lost more than RM176 million to domestic online scams in 2025. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha revealed that some victims were coerced into sharing explicit content used for blackmail.

Several victims took their own lives under the strain of this digital extortion. Sokha disclosed this at the launch of the nationwide “Safer Internet Day 2026” campaign at the Royal University of Agriculture.

Less than RM78 million of the scammed money was recovered last year. The remainder could not be traced due to scammers’ increasingly sophisticated methods.

“The shame and embarrassment associated with these crimes have had fatal consequences in Cambodia,” Sokha said. He also highlighted a rise in bank impersonation scams where fraudsters falsely claim victims have won prizes.

His disclosure comes as the government steps up security operations to weed out cyber scams and online illegal gambling nationwide. Many operations are allegedly run by international crime syndicates manned by young job seekers from across Asia.

Cambodian authorities deported more than 3,300 foreigners in the first week of February. This was part of a nationwide campaign dubbed “XXL Operation” to eradicate the scourge.

The government took another key step this week by approving a draft anti-cyber scam law. The law aims to strengthen the legal framework to combat online fraud, a crime that has drawn global scrutiny and tarnished Cambodia’s international reputation.

 The Sun Malaysia