UNODC launches #TrappedInScamCrime campaign in Cambodia to combat trafficking for forced criminality

Phnom Penh, 19 March 2026. - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (UNODC ROSEAP) organized an awareness-raising event on trafficking in persons for forced criminality in scam centres and officially launched UNODC’s #TrappedInScamCrime Campaign in Cambodia.

The event brought together nearly 130 participants, including ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic missions, government institutions, international organizations, civil society, students and media.

The event opened with remarks by the H.E. Mok Chansothea, Secretary of State of the Office of the Council of Ministers and Deputy Chief of the Secretariat of the Ad Hoc Commission on Combating Online Scams (CCOS). 

Ms. Vladanka Andreeva, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cambodia, underscored that trafficking for forced criminality in scam operations is rapidly increasing across Southeast Asia, with thousands of victims deceived, coerced, and exploited through digital platforms. This growing human rights crisis requires victim-centered responses, recognizing those affected as victims of trafficking and ensuring their protection and support.

Also speaking at the opening session, Ms. Kelly Geoghegan, Political Officer, Embassy of the United States of America in Cambodia, highlighted her country stands ready to continue working alongside UNODC and the International Justice Mission (IJM), as well as with their regional partners to raise awareness, strengthen prevention, improve law enforcement cooperation, and support survivors.

During the event, experts from Southeast Asia presented the regional context of trafficking in persons for forced criminality at scam centres and introduced the #TrappedInScamCrime campaign. Insights on creating safer digital spaces were also shared by Meta.

The event featured a panel discussion on Strengthening Prevention and Victim Protection, with participation of speakers from the International Organization of Migration (IOM) and the CSO Awareness Against Human Trafficking (HAART) Kenya. A general discussion was also held to exchange views on solutions to promote community participation and collaboration in implementing the Campaign in Cambodia.

“Across the region, we are witnessing industrial-scale human exploitation,” says Dr. Rebecca Miller, UNODC’s Regional Coordinator for countering Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling. “Trafficking victims are being forced to scam others for profit, and they are often the ones who are facing the legal consequences.  We must stop treating survivors like suspects and work to dismantle the transnational organized crime networks reaping billions through criminal actions.”

The #TrappedInScamCrime campaign, launched by UNODC in partnership with IJM and funded by the Government of the United States, is being implemented across the region to raise awareness, strengthen prevention, and promote collective action in response to trafficking for forced criminality. The campaign calls for the engagement of governments, civil society, digital platforms and young people. 

“This is about prevention and protection,” Dr. Miller stated. “UNODC invites civil society, digital platforms, youth leaders, and governments to amplify the #TrappedInScamCrime campaign.”

At the event, participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening coordination to effectively prevent and address trafficking in persons into scam centres.

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Join UNODC’s Trapped in Scam Crime campaign to stop trafficking in persons for forced criminality in Southeast Asia.