PHNOM PENH: Cambodia deported more than 15,000 foreign nationals involved in online-related crimes over the past two years, during the seventh-mandate government, according to Interior Minister Sar Sokha.
Addressing the opening of this morning’s “Experience Sharing in Combating Technology-Based Fraud and Money Laundering” workshop, at the interior ministry headquarters, Sokha described the deportations as reflecting the government’s strong commitment to addressing online crime.
“These deportations show that the 7th legislature Royal Government is paying close attention to the issue of online crimes,” he stated.
He noted that during the previous 6th legislature, under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Hun Sen and former Interior Minister Sar Kheng, about 21,000 foreign nationals were also deported for their involvement in online offences.
Sokha emphasised that the fight against online crime is not Cambodia’s responsibility alone, urging all countries to cooperate and understand one another to jointly suppress this global problem.
“Online fraud has evolved rapidly. Compared to five years ago, its nature is completely different. Cambodia is not a marketplace for criminal networks — the entire world is. Therefore, every relevant party must take part in prevention efforts,” he said.
The workshop was attended by senior officials, department directors, senior police officers, members of the Cambodian Police Academy and many other officials under the National Police General Commissariat.
During an Oct 7 meeting of the Phnom Penh Unified Command Committee, Phnom Penh municipal governor Khuong Sreng said that about 80% of online scam operations in the capital have been suppressed.
He instructed the 14 district authorities and relevant security forces to continue tightening control — especially through ongoing inspections of any housing complexes and condominiums suspected of being used for illegal activities. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
