(KPL/VNA) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has mandated a nationwide initiative to eliminate all online scam centres, cautioning that officials who hinder these operations could face dismissal.

In an order issued on July 14, Hun Manet highlighted that certain foreign criminal organisations have exploited Cambodia as a hub for their illicit online activities, local media reported.

The Cambodian leader was quoted as stating that leaders of cities and provinces, along with police forces, are responsible for eradicating all online scam operations within their jurisdictions in compliance with local laws and regulations.

The PM has also instructed the armed forces to be prepared to assist in these enforcement actions. Additionally, he called for measures to prevent illegal entry into Cambodia and ordered the deportation of individuals who enter unlawfully, reside illegally, or engage in illegal activities in the country.

Earlier in February, PM Hun Manet announced that he led a 25-member high-level inter-ministerial commission formed to combat online scams by using a massive systematic mechanism to clamp down on the crimes. Composed of deputy prime ministers, cabinet ministers, military and police leaders, and provincial officials, the committee is responsible for devising and implementing strategies to dismantle scam networks, coordinating enforcement, and fostering international cooperation.

Just one day after the directive was issued, Phnom Penh authorities carried out multiple raids on suspected scam centres.

On July 15, a joint force led by Deputy Governor Hun Surithy raided an eight-story apartment complex on Duong Nghiep street in Sen Sok district. Authorities arrested three Chinese nationals.

On July 14, another raid was conducted at a site on Street 128 in Toul Kork district, resulting in the arrest of over 200 individuals, including 85 Cambodian nationals.

In May, the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association (CamboJA) cited a report from the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) warning that hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are being lured into scam networks with fake job offers and later forced into cybercrime operations across Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

Scam operations have become increasingly mobile and difficult to track. According to CamboJA, at least 350 scam centres employing 150,000 foreign workers are operating in Cambodia.

KPL