The number of people detained in the latest online scam crackdown has passed 3,000, with most facing deportation. From June 27 to July 22, authorities conducted operations across 58 locations in Phnom Penh and 16 provinces, including Kandal, Preah Sihanouk, Kampong Speu, Banteay Meanchey, Kratie, Pursat, Kampot, Koh Kong, Oddar Meanchey, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, Pailin, Takeo, Svay Rieng, Siem Reap and Tbong Khmum. In the course of the raids, 3,075 suspects (606 of them female) were arrested, including 1,028 Chinese, 693 Vietnamese, 366 Indonesians, 105 Indians, 101 Bangladeshis, 82 Thais, 57 Koreans, 81 Pakistanis, 13 Nepalese, 4 Malaysians, and others…
Author: Niem Chheng
As pert of ongoing efforts towards a mine-free Cambodia, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and the University of Central Lancashire signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), marking a collaboration to combat the persistent threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). The July 22 signing ceremony was attended by CMAA first vice-president Ly Thuch, university representatives professors Darren Anzell and David Jones, and distinguished guests from Cambodia’s development and diplomatic communities. According to the MoU, the university will donate a state-of-the-art drone, equipped with advanced imaging and sensing capabilities, to support the CMAA’s survey and…
Indonesian ambassador Santo Darmosumarto has expressed his gratitude to the Cambodian government and its authorities for their cooperation in rescuing Indonesian citizens from scam operations and facilitating their return to their home country. His Malaysian counterpart has also shared his support for the Kingdom’s efforts to rescue trafficking victims from online scam centres. The current operation to dismantle online scam networks in Cambodia is going ahead full steam, with approximately 3,000 people arrested. The latest bust saw over 160 individuals taken into custody in two provinces on July 21. Santo met with Chhay Sinarith, who leads the secretariat of the…
As Thailand continues to take unilateral action in disputed border areas, such as road construction in the Mom Bei area and accusations related to mine explosions, Prime Minister Hun Manet has warned Thailand that they must not cross the “red line”, reiterating that Cambodia will not allow any violation of its territory. After a brief period of calm, Manet took to social media this morning, July 22, stating that recently, Thai political and military leaders, as well as media outlets, have levelled baseless accusations against Cambodia. These include claims of interference in Thailand’s internal politics and the planting of landmines.…
The investigating judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal placed eight suspects linked to online scams in temporary pre-trial detention on July 20, as part of the latest efforts to supress these crimes. The current campaign has seen almost 3,000 suspects arrested. The authorities are continuing to investigate and identify the shadowy masterminds behind the latest bust. The eight were captured during a July 7 raid at the Dyvith Hotel in Oknha Vaing village, Phnom Penh Thmey commune, Sen Sok district, according to the Ministry of Information. The court reviewed seized computers and mobile phones, examined other evidence and interrogated the…
As of July 19, law enforcement authorities in the capital and provinces had raided 52 suspected online scam operations in Phnom Penh and 14 provinces. They have detained a total of 2,767 suspects, including 843 Chinese nationals. Of them, authorities have sent 11 suspects to court for legal proceedings. Senior Chinese officials have expressed their strong support for these efforts and are reportedly offering their full cooperation. This morning, July 20, senior minister Chhay Sinarith, who leads the secretariat of the Ad Hoc Commission​ to Combat Online Scams, met with Yin Guohai, deputy director-general of the Criminal Investigation Department of…
Senate president Hun Sen has responded to former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who told Thai media that he has stopped communicating with Hun Sen. In response, Hun Sen stated that he has no desire to speak with someone who is preparing to face imprisonment for breaching Thailand’s lese-majeste law. “I want to tell Thaksin that it should be me who should not want to talk to you, ever since your daughter was arrogant and looked down on me. Moreover, I have no interest in speaking with someone who has been convicted and is preparing to face additional charges. So,…
The Cambodian government has announced a relief measure for the tourism industry. It will waive provisional fines for expired tourism licenses of all types, with the exception of tour guide licenses. The waiver was announced in a July 17 notice from the Ministry of Tourism. It took effect from the date of the notice and will remain in place until September 30. Approved by Prime Minister Hun Manet, the exemption aims to support tourism businesses during the “green season” and alleviate compliance burdens. The ministry urged all affected businesses to reapply for license renewals at the ministry or their respective…
The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has categorically rejected and dismissed allegations published by Thai media which accused Cambodia of planting new landmines on the border, calling the claims false and contrary to Cambodia’s principles. In a press release issued on this evening, July 18, the CMAA stated that Cambodia is a country that has suffered heavily from landmines and explosive remnants of war. Therefore, Cambodia strongly condemns and opposes the use, production and stockpiling of landmines, and expresses condolences for all tragedies caused by landmines and explosive remnants of war, regardless of location or nationality. The…
Since June 27, almost 1,500 suspects linked to online scam operations have been apprehended by Cambodian authorities. As the campaign continues, one prominent analyst described the crackdown as being aimed at protecting social order, even as Thailand’s actions appear to be intended to exploit and antagonize Cambodia. According to the secretariat of the Committee to Combat Online Scams, as of July 18, nationwide operations targeting online scam activities had resulted in the arrest of 1,371 suspects in Phnom Penh, Kandal, Preah Sihanouk, Kampong Speu, Banteay Meanchey, Kratie, Stung Treng and Pursat provinces. The latest raid took place today, with 9…