On December 8, Thailand attacked a scam center in OSmach, a Cambodian border town, claiming its target was the scam industry operating within the compound. The attack is the latest escalation in a long-standing border dispute between the two nations.

According to Pheap Sreymean, a 20-year-old Cambodian who worked at the scam center, two Thai warplanes circled overhead before the attack. Sreymean reported that her supervisor shouted, "The bombs are coming!" She witnessed a security guard killed by shrapnel and two others injured. Sreymean, who delivered food to the foreign workers running the scams, said that even during the bombing, the foreign workers were not allowed to leave the compound.

The Thai government has stated that the raid was specifically aimed at dismantling scam operations, which are often run by foreign nationals and have become a significant problem in the region. These scam centers frequently employ deceptive tactics, including phishing and investment fraud, to extract money from victims around the world. The industry's reliance on sophisticated communication technologies highlights the intersection of criminal activity and artificial intelligence (AI). AI-powered chatbots, for example, can be used to automate and personalize scam messages, making them more convincing. The use of deepfake technology, which employs AI to create realistic but fabricated videos and audio, is also a growing concern.

The incident underscores the complex geopolitical landscape and the challenges of combating transnational crime in Southeast Asia. The border between Thailand and Cambodia has been a source of tension for decades, with disputes over territory and resources. The presence of illegal activities, such as scam centers, further complicates the situation.

The Cambodian government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the attack. It remains unclear what actions, if any, will be taken to address the presence of scam centers within its borders or to prevent future cross-border incidents. The attack raises questions about the use of military force to combat cybercrime and the potential implications for international relations. Experts suggest that international cooperation and intelligence sharing are crucial to effectively dismantle these criminal networks and protect vulnerable populations from exploitation. The incident also highlights the need for increased public awareness about the risks of online scams and the importance of critical thinking when interacting with unfamiliar individuals or organizations online.