A senior U.S. prosecutor addressed questions on Cambodia's role in cyber scam operations during a virtual press briefing on April 24, while also responding to queries about alleged links between public officials and scam networks in the region.

Jeanine Ferris Pirro, United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, made the remarks during a briefing on U.S. enforcement actions targeting transnational cyber scam and forced-labour operations in Southeast Asia.

When asked about the term "Scambodia" in relation to scam activity in Cambodia, Pirro said Cambodia remains "a source of focus." She noted that public reporting suggests 40 to 60 percent of Cambodia's GDP is derived from scam revenue, while acknowledging that Cambodian authorities have recently taken action against scam compounds. However, she said U.S. authorities are "waiting to see whether that will actually change the prevalence of scams in Cambodia."

The briefing also included a question from BBC journalist Sen Nguyen regarding allegations involving Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and his son, Prime Minister Hun Manet, as well as possible links to scam centres, and whether U.S. intelligence had detected related activity in Vietnam.

Pirro responded that U.S. authorities could not comment on any particular investigation. "We do, however, take seriously allegations that public officials are involved in or profiting from scam centers," she said. "The strike force is focused on targets organizing and leading these compounds regardless of their political connections."

The briefing focused on U.S. efforts against cyber-enabled investment fraud, commonly known as "pig butchering" scams, where victims are lured through fake job offers or online schemes before being defrauded.

Pirro said U.S. authorities have charged individuals linked to scam compounds in Myanmar and carried out enforcement actions against recruitment networks allegedly operating in the region, including Cambodia. She added that hundreds of websites had been taken down and more than $700 million in cryptocurrency linked to victims had been restrained as part of ongoing investigations.

The remarks come amid increased international scrutiny of cyber scam operations in Southeast Asia, where trafficking-linked fraud networks have expanded in recent years.

On April 27, 2569, the Anti-Online Scam Center (ACSC) under the direction of Police General Thana Chuawongse, Deputy Police Commander and Chief of the Counter Crime and Corruption Bureau, and Police Lieutenant General Jiraphop Phooridetch, Assistant Police Commander and Deputy Chief of the Bureau, posted a statement addressing a photo circulating on the CSI LA Facebook page. The image showed ACSC officials dining together alongside text that misleadingly suggested close ties with Kok Arn's associates. The ACSC clarified that the photo was genuine but showed a delegation led by Cambodian Deputy Police Chief Sam Vannvirak meeting with Thai police at a restaurant in Paragon shopping mall on November 27, 2567 to discuss cooperation on combating online scammers. The ACSC emphasized that the individuals pictured from the Cambodian side had no prior acquaintance and no close relationship with the officials mentioned in the misleading posts.

Thai takraw athletes delivered outstanding performances at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, Hainan Province, China on April 27, 2025, claiming all three gold medals on the final championship day.

In women's doubles, Thai pair Chutathip Kanthathong and Aariya Homdee dominated North Korean opponents Kim Hyo-gyong and Cha Sol-gyong, winning 2-0 (12-8, 12-3) and claiming gold.

In mixed doubles, Supawalee Wongkhamjun and Pak Pong Detcherung defeated North Koreans Kim Il-sin and Han Song 2-0 (12-6, 12-10) to secure the gold medal.

In men's doubles, Sorasak Tao-siri and Jirati Chantaleang fought a closely contested match against Iraq's Ali Jalil and Ahmad Abdulrahman, losing the second set before rallying to win 2-1 (12-7, 9-12, 12-3).

With these victories, Thailand now stands second on the medal standings with 6 gold, 5 silver, and 3 bronze medals. Host nation China leads with 14 gold, 11 silver, and 5 bronze, while the Philippines sits third with 3 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze.

A Chinese social media influencer has alleged that she was lured to Cambodia with the promise of a high-paying job before being forced into a cyber scam operation, according to reports from South China Morning Post (SCMP) and Mothership.

The influencer, known online as "Umi", is a livestream host from Fujian province with around 24,000 followers on Chinese platforms. She previously drew public attention after being found in a distressed condition in Cambodia and later returning to China in January.

In a recent livestream titled "The Turbulent Story of Cambodia", Umi said she was deceived by a woman she knew who offered her an attractive job opportunity abroad. She claimed that upon arrival in Cambodia, her passport was confiscated and her movements were restricted.

She also alleged that she was forced into so-called "keyboard work", a term commonly associated with online scam operations targeting victims in cyber fraud schemes, SCMP reported.

"I was deceived by that woman, and she still hasn't been caught," she said during the livestream, adding that she regretted her decision to travel.

The livestream was cut off abruptly after around 30 minutes, and her social media account was later banned, according to reports.

Chinese media cited by Mothership said Umi was previously found injured and in a weakened condition in Cambodia, with photos circulating online showing her holding an X-ray film. She was later located at a hospital by the Chinese embassy and brought back to China for medical treatment.

Doctors in China reportedly found she tested positive for drugs, and her leg condition was believed to be caused by nerve compression due to prolonged immobility.

Reports also said her father, a farmer in Fujian, had believed she was working in another province and had sent her money over time before losing contact.

Her case has drawn renewed attention to cyber scam networks in Southeast Asia, where victims are often lured by fake job offers and later forced into online fraud operations.

A United Nations report has estimated that hundreds of thousands of people from multiple countries have been trafficked into scam compounds across the region in recent years.

On April 27, 2025, at the National Police Office, Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Krisada Kanchanalonkorn, acting as deputy chief of the Narcotics Suppression Center, reviewed nationwide drug suppression operations and announced results from the tenth nationwide drug network encirclement and search operation of 2025, conducted between March 28 and April 27, 2025.

The operation resulted in 16,283 drug cases with 14,875 suspects arrested and 1,071 additional arrests on outstanding warrants.

Seized controlled substances included: 63 million methamphetamine pills, 5,336 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (ice), 937 kilograms of ketamine, 94 kilograms of heroin, 200 ecstasy pills, 346 firearms, and 5 explosive devices. Police also seized 11 million baht in cash and froze approximately 442 million baht in assets connected to drug trafficking.

Pol. Lt. Gen. Krisada called on all units to integrate intelligence and deploy specialized equipment such as portable X-ray machines provided by the Narcotics Suppression Bureau to prioritize reporting significant drug cases through proper command channels.

Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma has directed all agencies to intercept drug trafficking in border areas around Bangkok and in southern Thailand. Officers are monitoring and searching suspicious persons and vehicles engaged in drug trafficking from neighboring countries. Smugglers are concealing drugs in shipping containers with items like batteries and electrical equipment, using pickup trucks, taxis, cargo trucks, fuel tankers, and passenger vans with hidden compartments. Other methods include ant-colony style transportation via buses, trains, and postal services from northern and northeastern border provinces to Bangkok, southern Thailand, and the surrounding areas. Malaysian networks also transport drugs using Malaysian-registered vehicles and public transportation.

Citizens who spot drug-related crimes can report to the narcotics hotline at 191 or 1599, available 24 hours daily.

The Digital Economy and Society Fund (DE Fund) is pushing forward with digital development initiatives at the local level through the 'DE Fund Clinic' program, part of its 2025 fiscal year public relations and corporate image-building efforts held on April 24, 2025 in Chiang Rai Province.

The event aims to promote the fund's role, mission, and operational approach to government agencies, private sector organizations, and local communities. It also clarifies the funding application process and helps organizations understand how to access digital financing sources. The clinic builds collaborative networks for economic and social development through digital technology and positions the fund as a trusted regional partner. Combining in-depth knowledge transfer with personalized advisory services, the event strengthens regional organizations' capacity to efficiently tap into digital funding sources while creating an open, collaborative environment for idea-sharing.

Dr. Wangsiri Phuasiri, Director of the DE Fund Administration Division, opened the event and delivered a keynote address on the fund's overview, emphasizing equitable, transparent, and efficient access to financing across all sectors. He highlighted the fund's critical role in supporting projects with positive impacts on Thailand's economy and society.

Additional sessions covered the fund's 2025 operational plan and performance metrics, emphasizing alignment with policy objectives and project sustainability. A separate session outlined the funding application process and evaluation timeline, which operates transparently through multiple screening levels to select quality, feasible projects.

Participants received one-on-one consultations, with many presenting innovative digital solutions addressing healthcare, public health, and education challenges. The DE Fund Clinic provided detailed guidance on project proposal criteria and writing standards, helping organizations prepare for the fund's 2025 application round.

For more information, interested parties can visit https://defund.bde.go.th or the Digital Economy and Society Fund's Facebook page.