UK-Cambodia MoU bids to dismantle online scam operations

Scam centres are places where fraud is scripted and scaled to target thousands of victims at once. Those who run them deploy sophisticated tactics to lure victims into handing over cash, including through fake romantic relationships. Many are based out of South East Asia, which has emerged as one of the world’s biggest hubs for scam centres.

Those conducting the scams are often trafficked foreign nationals then trapped and forced to carry out the fraud under threat of torture.

Under the agreement, the UK and Cambodian authorities will increase data sharing, co-ordinate activity against the criminal gangs, bring perpetrators to justice and ensure that victims of trafficking receive the support they need.

Reducing the threat 

Lord Hanson (Minister for Fraud) said: “Fraudsters don’t respect international borders. Over two-thirds of fraud affecting the UK originates overseas. As such, agreements like this are vital for reducing the threat to the public here at home.”

Lord Hanson continued: “I’m pleased to have reached this agreement with the Cambodian authorities, which will strengthen our work to dismantle scam centres and stop these criminals profiting from misery. We will pursue fraudsters from wherever they operate.”

The UK will help to build the capacity of Cambodian law enforcement through training in cyber investigations, digital forensics and investigative procedures.

The two Governments will also work together through the Global Fraud Task Force, itself jointly developed by the UK and Interpol. This will see them work to identify suspects and support operations to dismantle scam centres, as well as trace and disrupt the illicit financial flows that fund them.

International Conference 

Lord Hanson represented the UK at the International Conference on Combating Online Scams in Cambodia. He also visited the Golden Fortune scam compound, which had been dismantled following Cambodian action.

This agreement comes in the wake of the joint UK and US sanctions against a network that operates illegal scam centres across South East Asia. This resulted in millions of pounds in UK-based properties being frozen.

The new Memorandum of Understanding builds on the launch of the Government’s Fraud Strategy, which established a new Online Crime Centre, uniting Government, the police, intelligence agencies, banks and tech firms to ramp up the disruption of fraudsters’ networks.

Backed by £250 million in funding, the Fraud Strategy sets out how the Government will make the UK the hardest place for fraudsters to operate and stem the negative tide that has witnessed one in every 14 adults and one in every four businesses become victims of fraudsters.