China’s assistant public security minister, Liu Zhongyi, has refocussed his scam-busting efforts, from Thailand on to Cambodia.
On Sunday, he visited Cambodia’s Poipet border checkpoint, in Banteay Meanchey province, and held discussions with senior provincial officials, including police chief Major General Sith Loh, the Khmer Times reported.
Their discussions concentrated on cross-border security issues, especially the fight against online fraud and illegal border crossings, with both sides reaffirming their commitments to strengthening cooperation to curb transnational crimes.
Liu’s visit to Cambodia came one day after a group of 119 Thai nationals were deported, following a crackdown on fraudulent call centre operations.
Liu has played a key role in Thailand’s efforts to halt scam centres, which have proliferated across Southeast Asia in recent years, with the industry’s value ballooning to billions of dollars a year.
He has visited Thailand multiple times, leading to the decision to ban fuel, electricity and internet supplies to Myanmar’s border towns in February, in an effort to disrupt call centre operations.
Liu was also instrumental in securing Myanmar’s cooperation in shutting down scam call centres and releasing their staff, most of whom were foreigners.
Last Thursday, Liu paid a courtesy call on Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in all areas, including security.
