Senate Member Ly Yong Phat Backs Government's Push to Eliminate Online Scam Operations

Ly Yong Phat, a Cambodian senator and influential business figure, has announced his complete backing for national efforts to wipe out digital fraud operations, calling technology-driven scams a severe cross-border criminal threat that puts citizens, honest enterprises, and the nation's global standing at risk.

The businessman stated he stands fully behind the administration's firm approach to dismantling all sites and criminal organizations operating tech-enabled fraud schemes within Cambodia's borders, emphasizing there would be no room for compromise.

Yong Phat voiced his endorsement for a two-day international summit focused on fighting online fraud that began in Phnom Penh on September 23, chaired by Prime Minister Hun Manet. He characterized these criminal activities as dangerous to the public welfare, destructive to Cambodia's legitimate commerce sector, damaging to investor trust, and harmful to national prestige.

Speaking as both an entrepreneur and investor, Yong Phat committed to working alongside government institutions, police forces, and foreign allies to shield the population, defend Cambodia's image abroad, and help build a trustworthy digital landscape.

His statement mirrored a key theme from the prime minister's conference opening remarks: business owners, landlords, hiring managers, and commercial operators must actively prevent criminal networks from taking advantage of lawful business structures.

"Cambodia will never be a safe haven for online scams," Manet declared, adding that the country would not permit organized crime to undermine national development or the welfare of its more than 17 million citizens.

The prime minister highlighted that these crimes did not start in Cambodia and extend well beyond its territory. He emphasized that credibility requires relentless domestic enforcement action.

Manet outlined that effective anti-scam laws must address complete criminal ecosystems, including masterminds, financial backers, recruitment agents, property landlords, and anyone who consciously facilitates such operations.

The government formed the Commission on Combating Online Scams under Manet's direct oversight in February 2025, followed by passage of comprehensive anti-scam legislation in April 2026.

"We treat law enforcement as a standing national security obligation and not a public relations campaign," the prime minister stated.

He reported that authorities have successfully shut down all major scam compounds throughout Cambodia, though he cautioned that criminal organizations are now trying to reorganize into smaller, dispersed units.

Yong Phat's public support holds particular weight given his past rebuttals of Thai media allegations connecting him and his companies to supposed cybercrime and financial laundering activities.

In a November 2025 statement, he dismissed reports claiming Thai officials had raided 36 properties and seized assets valued at roughly 400 million baht—about $12.3 million—purportedly tied to online fraud rings.

He clarified that he had run legitimate casino operations for over twenty years and leased certain facilities to outside parties after closing during the Covid-19 outbreak.

"I don't operate scam centres. I built my company with my own hands, and I have always contributed to Cambodia's growth," Yong Phat said.