MGR Online — A former senior official of Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose family had initially reported him missing, has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) on charges of stealing more than 10,000 visa application forms and visa renewal permits, which are alleged to have been used to facilitate scammer gangs.
Tho Samnang had served as Director-General of Legal, Consular and Border Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs until he was removed from his post in late April by Senate President and acting head of state Hun Sen, but was subsequently appointed as an adviser to the ministry.
Initially, Tho Samnang's family reported him missing, but it later emerged that he had been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Unit on charges of facilitating online fraud and taken in for questioning.
The head of the Anti-Corruption Unit stated that Tho Samnang admitted to stealing more than 6,000 type C and Cex visa documents, which were used illegally, while he claimed the remaining 4,000 had been destroyed. The investigation is ongoing.
Type C visas, also known as courtesy visas, are normally issued free of charge to NGO volunteers and visiting dignitaries.
The head of the unit added that the visas illegally issued by Tho Samnang were clearly used by foreigners involved in online fraud.
In the wake of this scandal, social commentators praised the action taken against the official involved in online fraud offences, but at the same time expressed concern that officials implicated in such conduct might receive lighter-than-usual punishments such as reassignment. The commentators called for officials who damage the nation's reputation to face severe consequences.
Kin Phear, President of the Cambodian Royal Academy of International Relations, said that Tho Samnang was a senior civil servant in an important ministry, but had used his authority in ways that damaged the country's reputation and undermined public confidence in national institutions.
"How many more civil servants like this are there? If truly guilty, there should be no mere transfer of position," Kin Phear said.
"A large-scale fraud like this cannot be carried out by a single person alone. There must be systematic collusion. Others involved must be traced and brought to justice. If found guilty, they must be punished and their assets seized," Kin Phear added.
Online fraud in Cambodia, carried out largely by foreigners, has had a severe impact on Cambodia's reputation on the world stage. The country's negative image is reflected in a significant drop in tourist numbers.
"Our nation and our people should not have to suffer for crimes they did not commit," Kin Phear said.
Meas Nee, another social analyst, raised questions about the flaws in the visa issuance system that allowed this crime to occur.
"Who were these visas stolen from? From which agency? Why were there so many — were they stolen on multiple occasions?" Meas Nee asked.
"Why was it so easy to steal them? Was it the work of one person or did an entire department cooperate? We hope there will be a transparent investigation," Meas Nee added.
Yang Peur, Secretary-General of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, stressed that regardless of whether the crime involved online fraud or any other matter, the participation of an official was a serious matter and must be met with punishment.
He emphasised that one of the primary responsibilities of appointed officials is to protect the nation's reputation, and that if they fail to do so, the nation deserves justice. In such cases, he believes that an official's past service record, or the level of power or influence they are perceived to hold, should not shield them from the consequences of their own actions.
"To maintain the nation's credibility, to build confidence among foreign investors and tourists, and to strengthen Cambodia's governance, there is only one way forward — broad, comprehensive, and unambiguous enforcement of the law," Yang Peur stated.
