Hun Manet says scam centres ‘destroying’ Cambodia’s economy

Hun Manet says scam centres ‘destroying’ Cambodia’s economy

#National

Prime Minister Hun Manet has acknowledged that online scam centres operating in Cambodia are damaging the country’s reputation and undermining its legitimate economy.

In a rare interview with Agence France-Presse during a visit to Brussels, Hun Manet described the sprawling cyberscam networks as part of a “black economy” that is harming tourism and foreign investment.

“The scam network, what we call the black economy, is destroying our honest economy. It has put a bad reputation on Cambodia,” he said. “This is the reason why we need to clean this out.”

“Yes, the scam centre may produce some direct result to real estate, to some investment, the building, the buying, how to make the centres,” he said. “But most of the proceeds do not go into the government of Cambodia.”

Mr Hun Manet rejected claims that Cambodia’s economy depends on illicit activity.

“A lot of people were saying that the GDP of Cambodia relies on the scam. No. We rely on pure economies such as tourism, manufacturing, and others,” he said.

-Khmer Times-