Just three days after Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Cambodia and the signing of the "Joint Statement" with Prime Minister Hun Manet, the Cambodian government swiftly took action, launching a large-scale crackdown on telecommunications fraud in Sihanouk Province (Sihanoukville).
Several long-standing and seemingly unshakeable major telecom fraud dens were subjected to surprise inspections, an action interpreted by industry insiders as the official commencement of a national-level crackdown on telecom fraud.
Top-level drive, clear political signal
This raid occurred after the release of the "China-Cambodia Joint Statement," where terms like "heavy-handed crackdown," "continuous operation," and "enhanced cooperation" moved beyond mere diplomatic rhetoric to become a "political task" that law enforcement must execute.
Choosing to start in Sihanoukville, a hotspot for telecom fraud activities, challenges the long-standing "iron plate" forces directly and sends a clear signal: this round of crackdowns is not merely symbolic rectification, but a systematic, sustained strategic deployment.
An insider familiar with the operation stated: "This time it's not just for show; connections don't matter anymore, all 'bosses' must face reality, the direction has completely changed."
From "mowing the grass" to "uprooting trees," enforcement logic upgraded
Although the current actions are concentrated in Sihanouk Province, some observers question why other regions have not yet been targeted. However, insiders emphasize that this crackdown is not a traditional "mowing the grass" type of inspection but an "uprooting trees" type of elimination, focusing on precise identification and efficient destruction as the next phase's main direction.
This also means that law enforcement agencies will start from the root, delving into the operational systems of online telecom fraud across various locations, including dens, channels, and fake companies, to establish a long-term governance mechanism.
Telecom fraud elevated to "political responsibility"
The signing of the "Joint Statement" marks the elevation of China-Cambodia anti-fraud cooperation from the law enforcement level to the national political responsibility level. From now on, telecommunications network fraud will no longer be seen merely as a public security issue but as a key affair under the national credibility and governmental accountability system.
Should any dens be exposed or cases verified, if law enforcement does not act, it could constitute dereliction of duty, directly affecting officials' careers and department evaluations. This "military order" type of pressure will further drive enforcement units to fully implement measures.
The storm has begun, exit and eradication become "dual-track race"
With Chinese technological support and intelligence, Cambodia's anti-fraud operations are spreading nationwide. The Sihanoukville operation is just the beginning; the storm will eventually sweep through more regions.
Industry insiders generally believe that the grey industry chain is facing an unprecedented "settlement period." As the "exception" space disappears, every operating "plate" must make a choice: either proactively clear out and exit or wait to be sealed off under high-pressure crackdowns.
