Under US-China Pressure, Cambodia Cracks Down on Telecom Fraud

Under pressure from both the US and China, Cambodia is working to eradicate telecom fraud to 'preserve the regime,' including purging corrupt officials involved. Senate President Hun Sen stated that the crackdown cannot succeed without removing the officials behind the scenes. Cambodia has long been considered a hub for telecom fraud. Recently, provincial governors and police chiefs have been dismissed. With 11,000 people arrested this year, including high-profile figures, the government is attempting to 'cut off the tail to survive' to avoid a national security disaster.