Understanding Cambodia's Scam Economy, with Jacob Sims

Understanding Cambodia's Scam Economy, with Jacob Sims

Author: The Diplomat May 27, 2026 Duration: 20:07

Today on The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast host Katie Putz is joined by Jacob Sims, a columnist for The Diplomat, a Visiting Fellow at Harvard University’s Asia Center, and a leading expert on transnational crime and human rights in Southeast Asia. Sims is the author of a series of essays for The Diplomat focused on the cyberscam economy in Cambodia which landed The Diplomat its first appearance as a finalist in the Society of Publishers in Asia -- or SOPA --2026 Awards for Editorial Excellence. 

The winners will be announced on June 18 but today we have Sims on the podcast to talk about Cambodia’s scam economy, its global reach and its domestic roots.

You can subscribe to The Diplomat’s Asia Geopolitics podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; and watch the episode on YouTube.


Each week, Asia Geopolitics takes the headlines from across the vast Asia-Pacific region and unpacks the deeper strategic forces at play. Hosts Ankit Panda and Catherine Putz, drawing on their expertise from The Diplomat, steer these conversations beyond the surface of breaking news. They examine how a military exercise, an election result, or a diplomatic statement ripples through the regional order, affecting alliances, economies, and security. Regular guests join them to provide ground-level insight and diverse perspectives, making complex topics accessible. This isn't just a recap of events; it's a thoughtful analysis of the power dynamics shaping the continent's future. For anyone curious about the real stories behind the news from China, India, Japan, the Koreas, Southeast Asia, and beyond, this podcast offers essential context. Tune in for a clear-eyed and nuanced look at the forces defining the world's most consequential region.
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