China urges end to Cambodia scam hubs
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi called for the complete eradication of scam centers in Cambodia during a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh, according to Beijing’s foreign ministry.
Cambodia hosts dozens of scam centers with tens of thousands of people perpetrating online scams—some willingly and others trafficked—in a multibillion-dollar illicit industry, rights monitors say.
But under pressure from several countries, including China, Cambodian authorities say they are cracking down on the industry.
“Cross-border gambling and fraud endanger the lives and property of the people and must be resolutely cracked down on and completely eradicated,” Wang told Hun Manet, China’s foreign ministry said in a statement late Wednesday.
China and Cambodia maintain close trade, diplomatic, and military ties.
