(Phnom Penh): Cambodia is hosting the International Conference on Combating Online Scams (ICCOS-2026) on Wednesday (Sep. 23) in Phnom Penh, bringing together governments and key stakeholders to strengthen international cooperation in tackling the growing global threat of online scams.
The two-day conference, held from September 23-24 under the theme “Acting Together towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams,” takes place at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra Hotel. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet will preside over the opening session.
The conference is hosted by the Royal Government of Cambodia and co-sponsored by the Lancang-Mekong Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center (LMLECC), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (UNODC-ROSEAP), and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).
Online scams have evolved into a global challenge affecting millions of individuals, businesses and institutions worldwide. Such crimes have developed into sophisticated transnational criminal operations involving human trafficking and forced labour, money laundering, illicit financial flows, cyber-enabled financial crimes and the misuse of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, deepfakes, cryptocurrencies and digital platforms.
The conference provides a platform for governments, international organisations, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, technology companies, academia and other stakeholders to exchange experiences, build partnerships and coordinate collective action against online scams.
It aims to deepen understanding of the evolving online scam ecosystem, strengthen international cooperation and coordination, enhance multi-stakeholder partnerships, and promote the exchange of experiences and best practices. Discussions will also focus on stronger legal and regulatory frameworks, cyber resilience, public awareness, digital literacy and victim protection.
The programme includes a high-level session on “Online Scams as a Global Emergency”, along with thematic discussions on regional and global responses to online scams; technology, prevention and cyber resilience; and countries’ efforts in combating online scams, including progress, challenges and the way forward.
The conference is also expected to adopt an outcome document providing a framework for stronger international cooperation, information sharing, capacity building, prevention, law enforcement, victim protection and coordinated responses to online scams and cyber-enabled transnational crime.
Cambodia is among the countries in the region that have fallen victim to criminal networks exploiting its territory as an operational base to covertly conduct transnational online scam activities. These crimes not only cause severe impacts on Cambodia’s public security and social order, economy, investment, and tourism but also harm the country’s reputation, national image, and dignity.
=FRESH NEWS
