In a rare international media interview, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has delivered a stark assessment of the cyber scam operations proliferating within his nation’s borders, characterizing them as a destructive force undermining Cambodia’s economic foundation and global reputation. Speaking with AFP in Brussels during a diplomatic tour addressing border tensions with Thailand, the leader acknowledged the indirect economic benefits these criminal networks have generated while vehemently denying any governmental profiteering.
The Prime Minister described the multibillion-dollar fraud industry as a ‘black economy’ that actively damages Cambodia’s legitimate economic sectors, particularly through diminished tourism and foreign investment. Despite conceding that scam centers have stimulated certain business activities—including real estate development and employment opportunities—Hun Manet insisted that the vast majority of illicit proceeds never enter government coffers.
Cambodia has emerged as a regional epicenter for sophisticated cyber fraud operations, with experts estimating approximately 100,000 individuals—many trafficked victims—perpetrating global scams from dozens of compounds nationwide. These operations initially targeted Chinese-speaking populations but have expanded to multilingual schemes extracting billions from victims worldwide through fake romantic relationships and fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.
The government’s recent crackdown has resulted in thousands of arrests, highlighted by the high-profile extradition to China of Chen Zhi, a former adviser to both Hun Manet and his father. The Chinese-born tycoon, described by US authorities as the kingpin of a ‘sprawling cyber-fraud empire’ operating under the guise of legitimate business through his Prince Group conglomerate, was stripped of his Cambodian citizenship after authorities discovered he obtained it through fraudulent documentation.
Hun Manet claimed ignorance of Chen’s alleged criminal activities, stating that to Cambodian officials, he appeared merely as a business contributor until allegations surfaced. The Prime Minister explained that Chen’s extradition to China rather than the United States was necessitated by his exclusive Chinese citizenship following the revocation of his Cambodian status.
While some industry experts question the authenticity of Cambodia’s anti-fraud efforts—pointing to alleged connections between officials and cyber scam networks—Hun Manet maintains that the nation’s economic stability relies not on criminal enterprises but on legitimate sectors including tourism and manufacturing. The government continues its push to dismantle what it characterizes as an existential threat to Cambodia’s economic integrity and international standing.