Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng has ordered a renewed and stricter campaign against online scams and illegal gambling activities across the capital’s 14 districts, underscoring the government’s growing concern over cyber-enabled crime and its impact on public safety, as reported by The Khmer Times.
The directive was delivered during a meeting of the Phnom Penh Municipal Unity Command at City Hall on Tuesday, bringing together police, military police, district authorities and government departments. While Sreng acknowledged that district-level unified command committees have performed well so far, he warned that authorities must not allow any relaxation in enforcement.
Sreng said online scams remain a critical national issue and directed local security forces to conduct both broad and targeted inspections. Any identified scam locations must be shut down immediately, he added. The governor also called for intensified suppression of illegal gambling, including cockfighting, card games, dice games and informal lottery operations, noting that such activities harm the livelihoods of residents and undermine social order.
Beyond enforcement, Sreng highlighted the success of the Chaktomuk Walk Street initiative, which he said has elevated Phnom Penh’s profile as a developing tourist destination. He attributed the project’s progress to coordinated efforts by authorities and active participation from the public. Ahead of Victory Day commemorations, he instructed district and commune leaders to mobilize residents to display national flags and maintain clean surroundings.
Deputy National Police Commissioner and Municipal Police Chief Chhuon Narin said online scams remain challenging to eradicate due to the diverse and sophisticated tactics used to mislead victims, particularly individuals with limited technological experience. He confirmed that regular operations targeting scam networks are ongoing and that police will continue to intensify enforcement to safeguard public security.
Phnom Penh police say online scam groups continue to use increasingly sophisticated methods to deceive victims
