(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Cambodia’s intensive frontline experience in combating online scams has yielded crucial lessons that now shape the Kingdom’s strategic response and could provide valuable insights for international partners.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet made the remarks in his keynote address at the opening of the International Conference on Combating Online Scams (ICCOS) in Phnom Penh on Wednesday (Sep. 23).
“Our intensive frontline experience in combating online scams has yielded crucial lessons that now shape our strategic framework and can offer valuable insights for our partners.,” the premier underlined.
Drawing on Cambodia’s experience, Samdech Thipadei outlined four key lessons for strengthening the fight against increasingly sophisticated transnational scam networks.
First, Samdech Thipadei said combating online scams requires elevating the threat to a top-tier national security priority. Establishing centralized bodies like the Commission on Combating Online Scams is critical to synchronize information sharing, financial intelligence, law enforcement, and sub-national administration across all state pillars.
Second, tactical enforcement raids must be reinforced by laws that target the entire criminal networks. Modern anti-online scams legislation must establish explicit criminal liability for not only frontline operators, but also ringleaders, investors, recruiters, property owners, and enablers.
Third, authorities must adapt swiftly to the shifting tactics of criminal syndicates. When compounds are disrupted, syndicates fragment into small cells hidden in various locations and utilize emerging technologies. Simultaneously, law enforcement strategies must pivot toward rigorous immigration oversight, continuous digital intelligence gathering, and field inspections.
Fourth, Samdech Thipadei underlined that law enforcement agencies must strictly adhere to code of ethics. Transnational scam operations largely rely on human trafficking, deceptive recruitment, and forced criminality. We must ensure that trafficked individuals who were coerced into committing fraudulent acts are properly identified, protected, distinguished from willing perpetrators, provided humanitarian assistance, and safely repatriated to their home countries.
“Criminal syndicates are mobilised by massive financial incentives and supported by highly sophisticated, cutting-edge technologies,” he said. “In response, our international unity must be even stronger, backed by modern, efficient and genuinely collaborative enforcement mechanisms.”
=FRESH NEWS
