Siem Reap Times

Monday, Jun 30, 2025

Cambodia Denies Allegations of Trafficking and Forced Labor in Online Scam Operations

Tourism Ministry and National Police refute misleading South Korean reports to protect Cambodia’s tourism reputation
The Cambodian Tourism Ministry has strongly denied a misleading report by South Korean media outlet KBS News, which alleged that Koreans and other foreigners were trafficked and forced to work in online scam operations in Cambodia. The ministry expressed concern over the potential negative impact of the report on international tourists, especially following a recent raid by the National Police in Kampong Speu province that resulted in the detention of about 1,000 foreign nationals, primarily Chinese and Koreans. Ministry spokesperson Top Sopheak emphasized that the claims made by KBS News were unfounded and urged both national and international tourists to continue visiting Cambodia without fear.

KBS News had highlighted “Mango Park” in Kampong Speu as a hotspot for employment scams and kidnapping, reporting a significant increase in such cases from 16 in 2023 to 82 involving 105 people by August 2024. However, the Cambodian authorities have not provided detailed comments on these allegations, as spokespersons for the National Police and the General Department of Immigration were unavailable for comment. The South Korean embassy in Phnom Penh has also not responded to inquiries regarding the report. In response, the Cambodian Tourism Association’s chairman, Ho Vandy, noted that the report damaged Cambodia’s reputation and instilled fear among both tourists and locals, affecting tourism and investment negatively.

NGO rights group Licadho’s operations director, Am Sam Ath, acknowledged that while online scams remain a controversial issue in Cambodia, the ministry’s swift denial without thorough investigation could lead to further distrust. Ath emphasized the importance of substantiating claims before making public statements to avoid unnecessary criticism and suspicion. He also pointed out that other countries, such as India, have cautioned their citizens about visiting Cambodia due to similar scam-related incidents. With Cambodia aiming to recover its tourism sector post-pandemic, officials are working to address these challenges and restore confidence among international visitors.

---
Newsletter

Related Articles

Siem Reap Times
0:00
0:00
Close
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Asia News Roundup: Key Developments Across the Region
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Thai Prime Minister Discusses Bilateral Relations and Regional Issues with French President Emmanuel Macron
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
South Korean Court Denies Arrest Warrant for Former President Yoon Suk-yeol
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
Japan’s LDP Suffers Historic Defeat in Tokyo Assembly Poll
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Thailand and Cambodia Hold Border Talks Amid Rising Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Thailand and Cambodia Convene Joint Boundary Commission Amid Rising Border Tensions
Vietnam to Raise Alcohol Tax to 90% by 2031 Under New Legislation
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Beata Thunberg Rebrands as Beata Ernman Amidst Sister's Activism Controversy
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Vietnam Confronts Rising Economic Pressures Amid Expanding U.S. Tariff Measures
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
China Releases Draft Rules on Cross-Border Automotive Data Transfers
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Rice Prices Surge in Japan Amid Supply Issues and Government Response
China-Backed Militia Oversees Rare Earth Mining Expansion in Myanmar's Shan State
Thailand-Cambodia border closure could impact trade by 500 million baht daily
Cambodia Assembles Legal Team to Reclaim Disputed Heritage Sites
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Thailand Tightens Border Restrictions with Cambodia Amid Tensions
Cambodia and Thailand Reach Agreement Amidst Border Tensions
Trump Administration Issues New Travel Ban Targeting 12 Countries
Thai Army Asserts Readiness Amid Border Tensions with Cambodia
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
‘Vibe Coding’ Emerges as the New DIY Trend
AI Pioneer Yoshua Bengio Warns Models Can Deceive Users
Big Four Firms Rush to Create AI Auditing Systems
×