Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has directed government agencies to intensify the fight against online scam networks, making cybercrime enforcement a top national priority for the months ahead.
Speaking at the cabinet meeting on 27 to 28 April, Sonexay ordered relevant agencies to urgently strengthen anti-scam measures and update enforcement orders to reflect current conditions. He also called for stricter monitoring of misinformation and online fraud across social media platforms, warning of disciplinary action for anyone found involved.
Sonexay flagged the crackdown as one of the government’s top priorities for May and beyond, citing growing threats to public finances, social stability, and confidence in Laos’ digital economy.
The directive comes as cyber fraud cases surge nationwide.
The country’s Online Fraud Prevention Center, launched in late 2025, has already received over 700 complaints and resolved more than 300 cases, according to the Ministry of Technology and Communications.
Golden Triangle
Much of the concern has focused on the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo Province (GTSEZ), where authorities have carried out repeated raids on suspected fraud compounds.
Since 2023, Lao officials say nearly 2,800 suspects from 27 nationalities have been arrested in the zone for telecommunications fraud and related crimes. Police said multiple operations launched after the Ministry of Public Security took direction of the zone’s security unit.
In one major raid, security forces arrested 771 suspects from 15 Asian and African countries linked to a cyber-scam ring and seized hundreds of computers, nearly 1,900 mobile phones, and other devices in GTSEZ on 12 August 2024.
Authorities said the operation was to dismantle transnational criminal networks using Lao territory as a base.
Regional Cooperation Expands
Laos has also stepped up international cooperation in tackling fraud networks.
Earlier this year, Lao authorities together with South Korea arrested 14 suspects linked to an overseas call center scam operation that allegedly caused losses of around USD 17 million.
