At a press conference ahead of next week's international conference on combating online scams in Phnom Penh, a government official said courts are gathering evidence, and if the owners are found guilty, 86 sealed scam compounds will be frozen and confiscated as state assets.
More than 3,000 new identical houses rise in a grid formation from a Cambodian plain not far from the Thai border, but most of the residents, displaced by conflict, just want to return home.
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Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, head of the secretariat for the Commission for Combating Online Scams, told the diplomatic corps yesterday that there are no remaining scam centers or compounds in the country. He stated that following a year of crackdowns on 624 locations, authorities arrested nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 nationalities. Sinarith added that scam operations have shifted to small-scale activities in guesthouses, condominiums, rented houses, vehicles, and coffee shops, which authorities are searching for and cracking down on.
After Cambodian authorities found Aishah in Cambodia, the Phnom Penh police chief posted a video of her clarification in which she stated her reason for coming to Cambodia, following reports of her being missing: she said that because her living condition in Singapore was stressful, she decided to live on her own in Cambodia to work as an English teacher, adding that it was entirely her choice and she was not forced to come or scammed into coming here, and she has not been involved in or forced to participate in any scam activities or criminal activities.
A year ago today, Cambodian civilians fled deadly border clashes provoked by Thai forces. The dispute remains unresolved, with Thai troops still occupying Cambodian territory and carrying out illegal activities — including installing barbed wire and containers, and destroying Cambodian civilian houses and administrative buildings — as Cambodia continues to push for a peaceful resolution, while Thailand accuses Cambodia of closing the door on land border negotiations.
Acting head of state Hun Sen said that the timely crackdown on online scams has helped prevent a growing mafia network from becoming a future threat to the country. He warned that if it had not been eliminated in time, such networks could pose serious risks, as they live in the country and could potentially harm leaders or citizens.
Cambodia’s Senior Minister Keo Remy sent a letter to Emma Tucker @emmatuckerWSJ , editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal @WSJ , urging the removal of the term “Scambodia” from a headline, saying it incites hatred and discrimination against the Cambodian people.
Cash out some money for people who are stuck in here to give out to at least 20 people who are struggling to pay their guesthouses' fees: Lone Wolf, $100; Mr A, $100; Ms B $50... This month Lone Wolf is overspending, so he does not have enough money to pay for his trip to go to provinces to cover stories in the field--😅