Lord Hanson Arrives in Cambodia for Global Online Scam Conference
Lord Hanson Arrives in Cambodia for Global Online Scam Conference
PHNOM PENH, Sept. 23, 2026 — UK Home Office Minister of State Lord Hanson has begun his first visit to Cambodia, where he is joining the International Conference on Combating Online Scams and backing Cambodia’s efforts to dismantle scam networks and protect trafficking victims.
Lord Hanson is in Cambodia from Sept. 22 to 24 for the international conference, according to the British Embassy in Phnom Penh. During the visit, he is scheduled to meet Cambodian government counterparts and international partners to discuss cooperation against transnational online fraud.
The United Kingdom and Cambodia are also set to sign a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at opening a new phase of cooperation against online scam networks and strengthening protection for people trafficked into scam operations.
The agreement will support closer intelligence sharing, financial investigations and digital investigations, as well as stronger protection for victims of trafficking linked to scam operations, the UK government said.
Lord Hanson said fraud is a global threat with serious consequences for both people defrauded of their money and victims of trafficking who are forced into criminal activities.
“No country can tackle this threat alone,” he said, adding that the UK was prepared to work alongside Cambodia to hold those responsible for international fraud networks accountable.
The British government said Cambodia has taken what it described as “significant and welcome steps” in recent months to confront scam operations within the country, including introducing new legislation, conducting sustained enforcement operations and establishing a dedicated commission to lead the national response.
The UK has also taken coordinated action with the United States against criminal networks operating scam centres in Southeast Asia. According to the British government, joint sanctions have frozen more than £125 million in assets, while wider international cooperation has supported investigations into transnational fraud networks.
Lord Hanson’s visit comes as Cambodia hosts the International Conference on Combating Online Scams from Sept. 22 to 24, bringing together countries and international organisations to strengthen cooperation against a criminal industry that targets victims across borders.
The UK government said the partnership with Cambodia forms part of its wider effort to strengthen fraud-fighting cooperation across the Indo-Pacific, including through the INTERPOL Global Fraud Taskforce.
Lord Hanson was appointed Minister of State at the UK Home Office in July 2026.
