(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet confirmed that the government’s campaign to eliminate online scams will continue beyond April and will be carried out on a regular and long-term basis to safeguard Cambodia’s socio-economic stability.
The premier spoke on Friday (Mar. 6) during the closing ceremony of the National Authority for Combating Drugs’ annual conference at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel.
Samdech Thipadei clarified that some of his previous remarks about the crackdown on online crimes had been misinterpreted and circulated inaccurately by certain individuals, leading to speculation that the campaign would only be a short-term operation ending next month.
“I would like to confirm that this is not the case. This work [to clean up online scams] will continue,” the premier said. “We use the term ‘clean up,’ not simply ‘crackdown.’ A crackdown means authorities only act when cases arise. But a ‘clean up’ means suppressing illegal activities, clearing them out, and maintaining a clean environment so that our country is not tainted by online scam activities that could harm socio-economic development.”
The prime minister noted that online scams are a global issue affecting many countries, not just Cambodia. He acknowledged that such crimes do occur in Cambodia and stressed that the government has been taking continuous action to combat them while strengthening enforcement measures.
On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also warned that in the future property owners may be held responsible if they rent houses or buildings to criminal groups involved in online scams.
=FRESH NEWS
