National
• 32 minutes ago• Lim_Rothanaksambath
Brazil's Envoy Hails Cambodia's Anti-Scam Drive as Ties Strengthen with First-Ever Embassy
PHNOM PENH, August 20, 2026 – Brazil's first resident ambassador to Cambodia has praised the Kingdom's crackdown on online fraud, describing the results as "outstanding and tangible" during her inaugural meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha.
Ambassador Vibaan Los Santamartin, who took office following Brazil's decision to open a permanent mission in Cambodia this year, expressed admiration for the government's determination to root out cybercrime. She noted that Brazil has been closely following Cambodia's efforts and is keen to deepen cooperation, particularly in combating transnational crime and human trafficking.
The two sides are currently working toward a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on security cooperation, which would formalize information sharing, repatriation procedures, and joint efforts to tackle online scams. The ambassador also welcomed Cambodia's openness to international feedback and its adoption of new protocols for identifying and protecting victims.
Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha acknowledged the ambassador's positive assessment but emphasized that Cambodia's work is far from complete. He said criminals are becoming more sophisticated, and law enforcement must continue to adapt through training and capacity building. He reiterated the government's firm stance against all forms of cybercrime, pledging to pursue offenders regardless of nationality.
Since the start of the new mandate, authorities have shut down numerous large-scale scam operations, arrested key figures, and either deported or facilitated the voluntary departure of nearly 400,000 foreign nationals. The meeting also covered preparations for an upcoming international conference on cybercrime hosted by Cambodia in September, as well as growing people-to-people ties through tourism and sports, including the increasing number of Brazilian athletes now playing for Cambodian clubs and national teams.
— Source: Ministry of Interior
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network
Ambassador Vibaan Los Santamartin, who took office following Brazil's decision to open a permanent mission in Cambodia this year, expressed admiration for the government's determination to root out cybercrime. She noted that Brazil has been closely following Cambodia's efforts and is keen to deepen cooperation, particularly in combating transnational crime and human trafficking.
The two sides are currently working toward a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on security cooperation, which would formalize information sharing, repatriation procedures, and joint efforts to tackle online scams. The ambassador also welcomed Cambodia's openness to international feedback and its adoption of new protocols for identifying and protecting victims.
Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha acknowledged the ambassador's positive assessment but emphasized that Cambodia's work is far from complete. He said criminals are becoming more sophisticated, and law enforcement must continue to adapt through training and capacity building. He reiterated the government's firm stance against all forms of cybercrime, pledging to pursue offenders regardless of nationality.
Since the start of the new mandate, authorities have shut down numerous large-scale scam operations, arrested key figures, and either deported or facilitated the voluntary departure of nearly 400,000 foreign nationals. The meeting also covered preparations for an upcoming international conference on cybercrime hosted by Cambodia in September, as well as growing people-to-people ties through tourism and sports, including the increasing number of Brazilian athletes now playing for Cambodian clubs and national teams.
— Source: Ministry of Interior
Reported by The Khmer Daily Network