Cambodia’s Prime Minister says that the nation is being blamed for having online gambling shelters, but that the accusing countries are merely trying to divert attention.
Hun Manet made the comments amongst an ongoing border spat with Thailand, which has taken various measures including cutting electricity to illicit gambling zones and, recently, prohibiting Thai workers in casinos and entertainment operations in Poipet from crossing the border.
The PM was cited by local media following the Extraordinary General Assembly of Cambodia Scouts, which finished on Tuesday in Phnom Penh.
According to the Khmer Times, Hun Manet stated “There are many things that are being spread to Cambodia, especially online things that are also being accused of Cambodia. Look at your own country, it’s not pretty. Some countries like to blame their neighbors for things like this, but their own country is perfect.”.
Despite the claims, Cambodia was recently highlighted in a map by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as being a global scam hub – with Sihanoukville identified as one of the largest scam centers in the country.
A nephew of the PM has even been implicated in online scam operations, with Thai cyber police claiming links between online gambling and call-center scam networks which could be linked to the Huoine Group. The PM denies the allegations.
