In response to sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department on online scam criminal groups operating in Myanmar and Cambodia, Touch Sokhak, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, has encouraged the US to offer cooperation to suppress these crimes.
On September 8, the treasury issued a press release announcing sanctions on online scam criminal groups in Myanmar and Cambodia. In Myanmar, a key figure named She Zhijiang was targeted for sanctions. At China’s request, he was arrested by Thai Interpol police in 2022.
However, Thai authorities have not yet extradited him to China.
In Cambodia, many fraud groups reportedly consist of Chinese nationals who have been convicted by courts in China and Hong Kong for money laundering. These groups operate in Preah Sihanouk, Svay Rieng and Pursat provinces, according to the treasury.
In response to some of the claims in the report, Sokhak reiterated that Cambodia has consistently cracked down on such crimes. Before the armed conflict with Thailand broke out, Cambodia launched a major campaign to combat online crimes, targeting key locations across the country.
“We are willing to cooperate with all parties, both bilaterally and multilaterally, regionally and globally, to prevent and suppress crimes in call centres,” he said.
He added that Cambodia, whether at the interior ministry or government level, will gladly cooperate with all parties to jointly combat these crimes.
“We have not allowed or provided any opportunity for them to use Cambodian territory as a safe haven to commit these crimes. The victims are not only from other countries but also Cambodian citizens, as this is a global crime that requires collective action to suppress,” he noted.
“If the US offers any form of cooperation, we will accept their help to investigate these crimes and enforce the law, in accordance with state-to-state equality and the rights of individuals,” he added.
