In June 2025, Cambodia was rocked by a shocking example of the dark side of artificial intelligence: a deepfake video that used advanced AI to impersonate Senate President Hun Sen, falsely claiming he was raising money to start a war with Thailand. It was a reminder not only of how quickly misinformation can spread but also of how dangerous deepfake fraud has become for individuals, governments, and international relations alike.
This incident offers a powerful case study for everyone whether you live in Cambodia, Thailand, or anywhere else on why it’s critical to learn how to identify and protect yourself from deepfake fraud. In this blog post, we’ll break down what happened, why it matters, and most importantly, give you practical steps to shield yourself and your family from being deceived by AI-generated fakes.
The Cambodian Deepfake Case: What Happened?
Let’s start by revisiting this extraordinary case.
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The deepfake video that shook Cambodia
In late June 2025, a 29-second video began circulating on TikTok and Facebook. It appeared to show Hun Sen, Cambodia former prime minister and now President of the Senate, speaking directly to the camera. In a calm, matter-of-fact tone, the video’s voice said:
Afterward, a female AI-generated voice chimed in:
“If you send money to Uncle, you will get 50,000 baht in return, okay?”
The footage was deceptively real. It used actual video from a public meeting Hun Sen held on June 27 with civil servants in Preah Vihear province. Someone had stripped out the original audio and used AI voice synthesis to overlay fake Thai-language speech, making it seem like the Cambodian leader was calling for donations to launch an armed conflict.
The fallout: anger, fear, and diplomatic risks
The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) wasted no time. In a sharply worded statement, it condemned the video as:
“malicious disinformation and a serious misconduct that must not be tolerated on any digital or social media platforms.”
The ministry stressed that this was more than a prank: it was a criminal act designed to mislead, inflame nationalist tensions, and possibly incite violence. Cambodian authorities revealed that the audio was created by a Thai national, underscoring the cross-border dimensions of digital disinformation.
“This is a clear attempt to exploit artificial intelligence to deceive, defame, and incite,” the MPTC declared.
Hun Sen himself shared the original clip on his Facebook page, showing what he actually said. Meanwhile, the fake versions were spreading quickly on TikTok, gaining thousands of views.
The wider concern: stoking nationalism, harming workers
The Cambodian Centre for Independent Media’s Executive Director, Chhan Sokunthea, offered an important warning:
“The inciting content created by creators in both countries can cause racial hatred and discrimination between the two peoples. It not only disrupts the two governments’ efforts in peaceful negotiation but also creates risk for many Cambodian migrant workers who are working in Thailand.”
It’s a chilling example of how a short, AI-manipulated video can threaten not just reputations but also diplomatic relations and the livelihoods of ordinary people.
Also read: How to Protect Yourself from Scammers Offering Fake Jobs in Cambodia
Why deepfake fraud is growing and so dangerous?
This case might seem extreme, but unfortunately, deepfake fraud is no longer a rare or remote threat. It’s part of a global surge in the use of synthetic media for scams, defamation, and political manipulation.
What exactly is a deepfake?
A deepfake is a video, audio, or even text generated or altered by artificial intelligence to convincingly mimic someone’s likeness or voice. It often uses a technology called “deep learning,” which trains on large data sets (for example, hours of someone’s speeches) to reproduce their facial movements or speech patterns.
These fakes can be incredibly realistic. And because of powerful software tools that anyone can now download, almost anyone with moderate tech skills can create them.
From global scams to local heartbreak
In many countries, deepfakes have been used for financial scams, revenge, and even fake kidnappings. For example:
- Fake voice calls: Criminals in China and India have cloned the voices of parents to call children and demand ransom money for a fake kidnapping.
- Impersonating CEOs: In Europe and the US, fraudsters have used deepfake audio to trick company accountants into wiring hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Scams in Southeast Asia: Scammers have already begun using AI to fake the voices of Khmer, Thai, and Vietnamese family members asking for emergency cash.
How can you protect yourself from deepfake scams?
Given the pace of AI, the reality is that deepfakes are going to become even more convincing and common. But you don’t have to be defenseless. Here’s how you—and your family—can protect yourselves.
Read more: How Did a Scammer Steal $7,000 by Pretending to Be EDC?
1. Always verify from independent, official sources
If you see a shocking video or hear an unbelievable story—especially one asking for money—take a deep breath and do your own checks before reacting.
Look for official statements.
When the Hun Sen video went viral, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications quickly issued a formal statement. Likewise, reputable news sites like Khmer Times, Phnom Penh Post, and even the official Facebook page of Hun Sen posted clarifications.
Use reverse image and video searches.
Tools like Google Lens or TinEye allow you to see where else an image or video appears online. If you find the same video with different audio or from a trustworthy source explaining it’s fake, you’ve likely caught a deepfake.
Directly contact the person or organization.
If you get a voice message supposedly from your mother or your boss asking for money urgently, call them back on a known number. Criminals rely on your panic.
2. Look (and listen) for glitches
Most deepfakes—even sophisticated ones—still have small telltale flaws. Watch carefully for:
Mouth movements that don’t sync perfectly with words.
Especially in complex speech with emotional tones, AI often struggles.
Uneven lighting or blurry edges around faces.
Deepfake software sometimes has trouble matching shadows and textures.
Strange pauses, robotic or unnatural intonation.
AI voice cloning is improving, but it often still sounds flat or oddly paced.
3. Strengthen your digital hygiene
A huge reason deepfakes spread is because people share sensational content without thinking.
Pause before you share.
Ask yourself: Who posted this originally? What evidence backs it up? Could it harm someone if it’s false?
Educate your family.
Especially elders or young people who may trust anything they see online. Share simple rules like:
“If it seems shocking or urgent, double-check with an official page or by calling.”
Report suspicious content.
On Facebook, TikTok, or YouTube, use the “report” feature for misinformation. This helps platforms remove harmful deepfakes.
4. Use multi-step verification for money transfers
Deepfake scams often revolve around money. Protect yourself by making it harder for criminals.
Read more: How to Protect Yourself from Scammers Offering Fake Jobs in Cambodia
Never send money just from a voice or text.
Always confirm by video call or in-person.
For businesses:
Require at least two people to approve any bank transfer above a certain amount. This “four eyes principle” can stop fraud even if someone is fooled by a fake voice.
Turn on transaction alerts.
This helps you spot unauthorized activity immediately.
5. Support stronger policies and media literacy
Hun Sen’s deepfake story shows why this isn’t just an individual problem. As Chhan Sokunthea noted:
“The inciting content created by creators in both countries can cause racial hatred… disrupt peaceful negotiation… and create risk for many Cambodian migrant workers.”
It’s why Cambodia’s government is pushing social media platforms to take down such content swiftly and to trace the creators. You can support:
- Media literacy programs in schools and villages.
- Policies requiring clear labelling of AI-generated content.
- Regional cooperation between Cambodia, Thailand, and other ASEAN states to track cross-border disinformation.
Cambodia’s call for digital responsibility
In its statement, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications put it well:
“Digital responsibility is a shared duty. Together, we must protect the integrity of our information space.”
This means individuals like you, companies like Meta (Facebook), ByteDance (TikTok), and regional governments all have a role to play. By learning how deepfakes work, being cautious with what we share, and insisting on accountability from platforms, we can collectively make it harder for bad actors to exploit AI.
Bringing it back home: why it matters for you and your family
Whether you’re a student scrolling TikTok, a small shop owner using Facebook to take orders, or a migrant worker sending money home via TrueMoney or Wing, the lessons from this case are personal.
Read more: UNDP Anti-Scam Handbook: Why are digital scams on the rise, and what can be done to stop them?
Imagine how quickly your own community could be disrupted if someone made a deepfake video of your village chief saying to stop paying debts, or your local teacher calling for donations to fight Vietnam or Thailand. Not only could it destroy trust—it could even lead to violence or financial ruin.
That’s why protecting yourself isn’t paranoid. It’s smart, and it’s part of being a responsible member of your digital community.
Building a culture of verification
The Hun Sen deepfake was more than a momentary scandal—it’s a glimpse of what the future could hold if we don’t learn to protect ourselves. But there’s good news: by combining traditional common sense with some modern tech habits, we can make it much harder for scammers and manipulators to succeed.
✅ Always double-check shocking claims with official or independent sources.
✅ Learn to spot visual and audio flaws that signal a deepfake.
✅ Be cautious about sharing sensational content without evidence.
✅ Never send money just from a call or message—confirm by video or in person.
✅ Encourage schools, community groups, and even local pagodas to teach media literacy.
As Cambodia navigates delicate issues like border negotiations and works to safeguard millions of citizens who depend on peace and stability, tackling deepfake fraud is not just an individual necessity—it’s a national priority.
So next time a shocking video pops up on your feed, take a second look. Your critical thinking might be the best defense you—and your country—have.
Want to learn more?
- You can see Hun Sen’s own post of the original, unedited video here: Facebook link.
- Or explore the fake versions still circulating on TikTok to train your eye on spotting AI manipulation:
What do you think?
Have you or someone you know encountered a suspicious video or voice call? How did you handle it? Share your stories in the comments below—so we can all learn and stay safer together.