Cambodian PM vows tougher crackdown on evolving online scam networks
In an exclusive interview with Bloomberg, Prime Minister Hun Manet covered a wide range of subjects, including maritime disputes with Thailand and the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to suppress cybercrimes. Bloomberg
Prime Minister Hun Manet has reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to intensifying its nationwide crackdown on transnational online scam networks, pledging to make the Kingdom “not easy or worth to stay” for criminal syndicates as they become increasingly sophisticated.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg published on July 23, Mr Hun Manet stressed that online scam operations are a global challenge requiring stronger international cooperation beyond geopolitical rivalries.
He said Cambodia continues to work closely with both the United States and China to combat cyber-enabled crime, noting that criminal organisations target countries regardless of political alignments.
“We are committed to continue to crack down on this,” he said. “We will make Cambodia become an area that’s not easy or worth to stay for online scams.”
The prime minister revealed that Cambodia will host an international conference on online scams, bringing together law enforcement agencies from multiple countries, including China and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
He said FBI Director Kash Patel had informed him that the bureau would send a senior delegation to participate in the conference.
Mr Hun Manet said such cooperation demonstrates that combating organised crime should not be held hostage by geopolitical tensions.
“Criminal networks can attack countries regardless of political alignment,” he said. “They can target both the US and China at the same time for financial gain through scam operations or drug trafficking.”
Addressing concerns raised in a recent United Nations report that organised crime groups are increasingly operating like corporations and exploiting special economic zones (SEZs), Mr Hun Manet said Cambodia has issued strict instructions to security agencies, local authorities and SEZ administrators to prevent such abuse.
“If any SEZ is found to be covering for criminal scams, they will be liable under the law just like anyone else,” he said.
Mr Hun Manet added that authorities have found no evidence so far that Cambodia’s SEZs are being used as bases for online scam operations, stressing that the zones remain important platforms for attracting foreign direct investment across multiple industries.
The prime minister also pointed to disciplinary actions already taken against public officials linked to criminal activities.
He said the government has dismissed several senior security officials, including three-star, two-star and one-star generals, after evidence linked them to scam-related activities. Provincial governors and police commissioners who failed to act against online scam operations have also been removed, while further investigations remain ongoing.
“We are dealing with this,” he said.
His remarks come as Cambodia has stepped up nationwide operations against online scam compounds in recent months, arresting hundreds of suspects and strengthening cooperation with regional and international law enforcement agencies to dismantle transnational criminal networks.
-Khmer Times-
