AKP Phnom Penh, May 26, 2026 --
Cambodian Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra called Tuesday for a unified national response to combat human trafficking and cyber fraud, describing the issues as a collective responsibility spanning the Royal Government, media, civil society, and the private sector.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a workshop on preventing human trafficking and cybercrime for journalists, Minister H.E. Neth Pheaktra emphasised that tackling these shifting threats cannot be done in isolation.
"Combating human trafficking and online scams is a collective task for the state, journalists, civil society, citizens, and the private sector," the Minister said during the event held at the Ministry of Information. "Our participation must be collective. Whether it is the Royal Government, the media, the private sector, or individual citizens, everyone must take part."
While acknowledging the difficulty of eradicating these transnational crimes entirely, H.E. Neth Pheaktra noted that effective public education – driven by journalistic reporting, investigative features, and interviews – could drastically mitigate the impact. The primary goal, he stressed, remains the protection of the rights, dignity, and safety of the Cambodian people.
The Ministry highlighted five essential guidelines for the public to prevent falling victim to sophisticated networks: Verify job offers from clear, legitimate sources; Never send personal documents or money to unverified individuals; Cross-check information with official sources before relocating or accepting foreign employment; Report suspicious activities immediately to authorities; Refrain from sharing unverified or fake news, which can inadvertently put victims in greater danger.
The minister warned that human trafficking, irregular migration, and online scams are no longer separate challenges. In the digital era, they have converged into highly complex, interconnected operations leveraged by cross-border criminal syndicates.
Advanced digital technology and deceptive social media advertisements are increasingly used to lure victims with false promises of high-paying jobs abroad, only to trap them in forced labour or cyber-scam operations.
H.E. Neth Pheaktra concluded that law enforcement measures alone are insufficient. Addressing the crisis requires a comprehensive strategy encompassing prevention, education, accurate information dissemination, victim rescue operations, and inter-institutional cooperation. In this regard, he emphasised that the Information Ministry, journalists, and media outlets play a pivotal role in educating the public, flagging risks, and reducing vulnerability across society.

By K. Rithy Reak