The UK and Cambodia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) declaring their intent to work together to combat networks of illegal scam centers. The agreement calls for more data sharing and greater coordination against criminal gangs in order to bring scammers to justice. The two countries also noted the role of human trafficking in international financial crime and have pledged to make sure that victims of trafficking are supported as well.

The problem of scam centers is the focus of the agreement, which marks the first time the two countries have established a joint working framework for tackling scam networks. Scam centers and networks have been effective in launching and scaling fraud attacks against thousands of victims simultaneously. These criminals deploy sophisticated tactics to con individuals into sending them money, including romance scams. In some cases, the people carrying out these scams are themselves victims of human trafficking, forced to commit fraud under threat of violence. Many of these scam centers and networks are based in Southeast Asia, which has increasingly become an international hub for this kind of illicit activity.

“Fraudsters don’t respect international borders,” UK Minister for Fraud, Lord Hanson, said. “Over two-thirds of fraud affecting the UK originates overseas so agreements like this are vital to reducing the threat to the public here at home. I’m pleased to have reached this agreement with Cambodia which will strengthen our work to dismantle scam centers and stop these criminals profiting from misery.

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