(Phnom Penh): A total of 276 local and international journalists from 69 media organisations are covering the International Conference on Combating Online Scams (ICCOS-2026), which opened in Phnom Penh on Wednesday (Sep. 23).

Among the 69 media organisations, 35 are international outlets, while 71 of the 276 accredited journalists are international journalists.

Cambodia is hosting the two-day conference from September 23-24 at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra Hotel, bringing together governments and key stakeholders to strengthen international cooperation against the growing global threat of online scams.

Held under the theme “Acting Together towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams,” ICCOS-2026 provides a platform for participating countries and international partners to strengthen coordination, exchange experiences and develop collective approaches to disrupting transnational scam networks.

The conference brings together participants from more than 27 countries across multiple regions, including the United States, China, Australia, Japan and South Korea, as well as countries from Africa, Europe and ASEAN. Representatives from seven international organisations are also participating.

From July 2025 to August 2026, Cambodian authorities conducted research, investigations, and launched operations targeting 832 suspect locations. These operations led to crackdown operations on 663 sites linked with online scams, with 86 scam compounds completely dismantled, brought under control pending legal seizure.

During the same period, Cambodian authorities have frozen more than USD 300 million in bank accounts, while continuing to identify and freeze additional related assets and property.

Cambodian authorities also rescued and processed the deportation of more than 22,000 foreign nationals from 38 nationalities during the period.

The Royal Government reiterated that Cambodia is not a safe haven for online scams but has itself been a victim of the transnational crimes, which has significantly damaged the country’s reputation. Under Prime Minister Hun Manet, the government has intensified enforcement efforts aimed at dismantling scam networks operating in the kingdom.

Cambodia has also strengthened its legal framework through the Law on Combating Online Scams, enacted in April 2026, which introduces tougher penalties for offences related to online scams and extends liability to masterminds, accomplices and owners of locations or properties used in such operations.
=FRESH NEWS