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Cambodia’s Ministry of Information has strongly criticised a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, accusing the publication of using “insulting” and “unprofessional” language that undermines the country’s dignity and misrepresents its efforts to combat cybercrime.
In a detailed response, ministry spokesman Tep Asnarith said the article’s characterisation of Cambodia in connection with global scam operations amounted to an attack on the nation’s reputation and identity.
“Linking a sovereign country’s name to global criminal activities reflects an intention to incite discrimination,” he said, adding that such language “damages the honour and dignity of Cambodian citizens on the international stage.”
“The information ministry has written to the WSJ’s managing editor to make corrections,” he told The Post.
The response follows a report describing a gold-coloured skyscraper rising in Phnom Penh as a symbol of wealth linked to transnational cybercrime networks.
The article also cited foreign political figures referring to Cambodia as “Scambodia”, a term the spokesman rejected as offensive and rooted in biased narratives.
Asnarith argued that the use of such terminology reflects a lack of journalistic professionalism and violates ethical standards.
He said responsible reporting should be based on facts, evidence and balanced analysis, rather than emotive language designed to attract attention.
“Media outlets have a duty to inform and contribute to solutions, not to distort reality or undermine the dignity of any nation,” he said, warning that the repeated use of derogatory labels could fuel racial discrimination and serve as a form of psychological warfare.
The spokesman also pointed to what he described as a broader pattern in which narratives originating from extremist or biased sources are amplified in international media, contributing to negative perceptions of Cambodia.
While rejecting the characterisation, the government acknowledged that cybercrime is a global challenge requiring coordinated responses.
Cambodia, said Asnarith, remains committed to addressing the issue through law enforcement and international cooperation.
“We welcome reporting on challenges in a constructive spirit to jointly build solutions, but we absolutely cannot accept the use of offensive language that undermines our national identity and sovereignty — especially when it creates injustice against Cambodia in addressing a global crime that requires collective international action,” he added.
According to the Secretariat of the National Committee for Countering Technology Scams, Cambodian authorities have intensified crackdowns on online fraud networks in recent months.
Between July 2025 and mid-April 2026, law enforcement agencies investigated more than 250 cases nationwide, including raids on 91 suspected scam locations.
During the same period, 112 cases were sent to court involving approximately 1,089 suspects of multiple nationalities, including Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, South Korean, Singaporean and Cambodian nationals.
Separately, from January 2025 to April 19, 2026, authorities deported 13,039 foreign nationals from 33 different countries linked to online scam activities, including 1,509 women.
“These figures demonstrate Cambodia’s firm political will and concrete actions to eliminate all forms of online scams from its territory,” Asnarith said.
He reiterated that the government welcomes constructive reporting on challenges facing the country, including cybercrime, but stressed that such coverage must be grounded in accuracy and respect.
“Addressing transnational cybercrime must rely on facts, data and cooperation — not on defamatory labelling that unfairly targets any country,” he said.
The ministry’s response underscores growing sensitivity among Cambodian authorities over international portrayals of the country, particularly as it seeks to balance enforcement efforts with safeguarding its global image.
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