PM Hun Manet Warns Against Using Online Scams as Pretext for Invasion

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that one state should not use the pretext of cracking down on online scams to launch a war and occupy the territory of another state. The Prime Minister made these remarks on the morning of September 23rd, as Thailand has reportedly used the pretext of cracking down on technology-based scams to invade and occupy Cambodian territory. Speaking at the opening of an international conference on combating technology-based scams, in the presence of over 20 major countries and international organizations, Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasized that a state using the pretext of cracking down on technology-based scams to attack another state's sovereign territory is a grave violation of international law. "The issue of technology-based scams should not be used by any country as a tool against another country, nor should the objective of combating technology-based scams be used as a pretext to attack or occupy the sovereign territory of another country, because this is a clear violation of the principles of international law," stated Prime Minister Hun Manet. To combat technology-based scam crimes, the Cambodian Prime Minister said that countries should choose reason, cooperate sincerely, and respect each other to resolve this issue for mutual benefit, as no single country can effectively solve this cross-border problem alone. Prime Minister Hun Manet added that while international cooperation is important, all countries must actively take responsibility for educating and protecting their citizens. Each country must implement strict measures to warn its people about job offers abroad that are fraudulent and financial scam traps. All governments must also conduct regular public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about the tricks of digital scams, to ensure that vulnerable individuals do not fall victim to online scams. Through the same conference, Prime Minister Hun Manet also proposed that partner countries must double their efforts to strengthen rapid response networks between national and international law enforcement agencies to share intelligence immediately, which helps in tracking criminal networks and disrupting the activities of decentralized criminal groups in various countries. Financial intelligence units and anti-money laundering agencies should cooperate and utilize supporting platforms to quickly track illicit financial flows, identify true beneficial owners, freeze virtual assets, and crack down on offshore banking networks. The Cambodian Prime Minister also proposed that international partners should harmonize the framework of mutual legal assistance cooperation, facilitate extradition procedures, and promote the sharing of digital forensic evidence to prevent criminals from exploiting loopholes in legal jurisdictions. Governments should build operational partnerships with commercial banks, telecommunications operators, technology platforms, and cryptocurrency trading markets to detect fraudulent activities early, block suspicious digital infrastructure, and freeze accounts related to illegal cases. At the same time, governments and international organizations should strengthen the process of identifying victims and facilitate diplomatic procedures to ensure the protection and safe repatriation of victims to their home countries.