Dara, known for his reporting on human trafficking in the cyber scam industry, had worked for an independent news outlet that authorities closed last year

An award-winning Cambodian journalist known for his reporting on human trafficking in the cyber scam industry was arrested on Monday, according to the independent Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association (CamboJA).

Mech Dara won a Hero Award last year for his investigations into exploitation at online scam compounds in Cambodia. The award, which recognises efforts against human trafficking, was presented by US secretary of state Antony Blinken.