Cambodia, FBI reaffirm partnership to combat transnational crimes

Composite pic shows Prime Minister Hun Manet (L) speaking on the phone with FBI Director Kash Patel about working together to combat transnational crimes, on Friday. PMO

Cambodia and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation between Cambodia’s security agencies and the FBI to combat transnational crimes, including human trafficking, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and financial crimes, building on the longstanding successful partnership to ensure safety and security for both nations.

Prime Minister Hun Manet on Friday held a telephone conversation with US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel, during which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation between Cambodia’s security institutions and the FBI to combat transnational crimes and enhance security for both nations.

“We highly appreciate the fruitful results of the longstanding cooperation between Cambodia’s security agencies and the FBI in preventing and combatting transnational crimes such as human trafficking, drug trafficking, homicide, extortion, financial crimes, and cyber scams,” Mr Hun Manet said.

“Moving forward, we agreed to continue strengthening the cooperation between Cambodia’s security institutions and the FBI in order to maintain security and safety for both our peoples and countries,” he said.

Earlier this year, a high-level inter-ministerial commission to combat online scams was established and spearheaded by Mr Hun Manet.

The creation of the commission followed growing international scrutiny over the past five years regarding human trafficking crimes in Cambodia, particularly those linked to forced labour through employment scams. These crimes are largely orchestrated by foreign-run syndicates that lure victims from various countries with promises of high-paying jobs, only to force them into criminal enterprises such as online gambling operations and fraudulent call centres targeting people across the world.

In a separate development, during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur last month, Mr Hun Manet and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung discussed concerns about tech-based fraud and cross-border crimes. Mr Hun Manet highlighted the strong cooperation between Cambodian and South Korean authorities, noting that it has produced many positive outcomes.

Mr Hun Manet reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to further strengthen collaboration to prevent, suppress, and combat online scams, contributing to peace, public order, and social security.

As part of these efforts, the two leaders agreed on October 27 to establish a Cambodia–Korea Joint Working Group this month to bolster joint actions against cybercrime and other offences involving Korean nationals in Cambodia.

A report released on October 15 by the Secretariat of the Commission for Combatting Technology Fraud revealed that between June 27 and October 14, Cambodian authorities arrested 3,455 foreigners suspected of involvement in online scams across Phnom Penh and 17 provinces.Cr:KhmerTimes