(Phnom Penh): Koeut Rith, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, said that all assets linked to the case of Chen Zhi will be confiscated as state property if proven to be connected to criminal activity.

Speaking at a joint press conference on Friday (Apr. 3), the deputy prime minister clarified that under the law on combating technology-based fraud, instruments of crime, proceeds of crime, and assets derived from money laundering are all subject to confiscation and will be redirected to the national budget.

“From a legal perspective, all assets linked to criminal activities and money laundering must be seized and become state property,” he underlined.

Koeut Rith noted that competent authorities are actively identifying and confiscating illicit assets, while multiple related case files remain under investigation. He described the effort as part of a nationwide campaign carried out with full responsibility to protect Cambodia’s interests.

He added that the Royal Government is simultaneously conducting crackdowns and enacting legal frameworks to enhance effectiveness, stressing that this reflects a firm political commitment with no retreat in eliminating online scams in Cambodia.

From July 2025 to March 2026, authorities have cracked down on over 250 cases of technology-based fraud, with 80 cases involving around 750 suspects already sent to court. During the same period, approximately 11,000 foreign nationals, including individuals from China, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Thailand, have been deported in connection with online scam operations.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has pledged to eradicate technology-based fraud by April 2026, declaring that Cambodia will not serve as a safe haven for cybercriminals. He warned that all offenders will face the strictest legal penalties, with no exceptions.
=FRESH NEWS