PHNOM PENH, July 16, (Xinhua): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has ordered authorities to root out all online scam centers across the country, warning that any officials who obstruct crackdown operations could be fired. In an order signed on Monday and publicized Tuesday night, Hun Manet said some foreign criminal groups have used Cambodia as a base for operating their illegal online activities.

He said the leaders of all cities and provinces, as well as police, "must be responsible for wiping out all online scam centers in their geographical and jurisdictional boundaries in accordance with law and regulations." The prime minister ordered the armed forces to get ready to provide support to the crackdown operations.

He also instructed authorities to prevent foreigners from illegally entering Cambodia and to deport anyone who has entered illegally, lives illegally, or engages in illegal activities in the Southeast Asian country. "This order must be implemented strictly and responsibly," he said. "Failure to comply with the order or failure to cooperate in any case will be subject to evaluation in appointing, removing, or terminating a position."

Hun Manet said the move aimed at maintaining and protecting security, public order, and social safety. In the latest online scam suppression on Monday at an apartment building in the capital Phnom Penh's Tuol Kork district, the authorities detained 149 Vietnamese nationals and 85 Cambodians, according to a City Hall's report.