PHNOM PENH: Cambodia is currently tackling the complexity of human trafficking by foreign nationals who use diverse and deceptive methods, according to a senior official of the National Committee for Combating Trafficking (NCCT).

Chou Bun Eng (pictured), secretary of state at the Ministry of Home Affairs and permanent vice-chairman of the NCCT, said on Tuesday (Nov 19) that most human trafficking cases involve foreign perpetrators who use sophisticated methods of exploitation and manipulation.

She added that some foreigners traffic victims into Cambodia, while others live in the country and attract victims from abroad through fraud and manipulation.

“Some human trafficking cases involve foreign criminals defrauding nationals of other nationalities or Cambodian nationals. In some cases, criminals target victims of the same nationality. These cases involve various forms of trafficking, surrogacy, threats and tactics carried out online, over the phone or in person,” she said in a ministry press statement.

In 2023, Cambodia reported 164 cases of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, resulting in the arrest of 194 people. Of these, 24 cases were classified as human trafficking and 140 involved sexual exploitation. In the same year, 342 Cambodian victims were repatriated, including 322 from China.

In the first six months of 2024, authorities dealt with 104 cases of human trafficking and exploitation, arrested 134 suspects and rescued 290 victims, according to the commission’s biannual report.

The NCCT’s annual report also showed that in 2023, the country detained and deported 2,159 foreign criminals involved in 512 different crimes, including 1,011 Chinese nationals.

Bun Eng could not be reached for comment on Nov. 19.

In 2023, the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report ranked Cambodia at level 3, the lowest ranking. This placed the country on a par with Myanmar and below neighboring countries such as Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.

Bun Eng urged relevant authorities to step up efforts to combat human trafficking, a pressing global issue increasingly linked to online platforms.

“The authorities must feel the urgency to act when Cambodia is placed at the bottom of global rankings for combating human trafficking. We must act decisively to address this issue and avoid complacency,” she said. – Phnom Penh Post/ANN