Cambodia has placed the fight against online scams at the centre of an important international conversation. On 23–24 September 2026, Phnom Penh hosted the International Conference on Combating Online Scams, under the theme: “Acting Together Towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams.” The conference brought together representatives from 27 countries, seven international organisations, law-enforcement agencies, financial institutions, technology companies, academics and other stakeholders.[gov] The event was co-sponsored by INTERPOL, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and the Lancang-Mekong Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center. Its purpose was not simply to discuss cyber fraud, but to build stronger mechanisms for international cooperation against a criminal ecosystem that crosses borders, industries and jurisdictions.[gov] Cambodia’s message: No safe haven for scams Opening the confer...
We’ve all been there: an email lands in your inbox claiming your bank account is locked, a text message says a package is waiting for delivery (pay a $2 shipping fee!), or a friendly stranger slides into your DMs with an incredible investment tip. For a split second, your heart skips a beat. Is this real? Online scams have evolved far beyond the clumsy, typo-ridden Nigerian prince emails of the early 2000s. Today, fraudsters use generative AI, deepfakes, and hyper-targeted social engineering to mimic your bank, your boss, or even your family members. Let’s break down the most common scams targeting people today and, more importantly, the mental shifts and technical habits you need to stay safe. Part 1: The Scams to Look Out For 1. The Smishing & Delivery Trap (Phishing via SMS) How it works: You receive a text message: "UPS: Your package could not be delivered due to an incomplete address. Update here [suspicious-link.com]." Because so many of us order things ...