AKP Phnom Penh, January 22, 2026 —

Cambodia’s Ministry of Information issued an urgent alert on Thursday, warning the public against a series of fraudulent social media accounts and Telegram profiles impersonating Information Minister H.E. Neth Pheaktra.

In an official statement released Jan. 22, the ministry’s spokesperson office "categorically rejected" any association with the accounts, labeling the activity a "malicious attempt" to damage the reputation of the minister and state institutions.

Authorities identified four specific Telegram handles used in the scam:

1- @ceo_nethpheaktra (CEO NETHPHEAKTRA)

2- @Khievphearavuthfx (KHIEV PHEARAVUTH)

3- @Ceo_sokhy (CEO.NETH PHEAKTRA)

4- @Ceo_seanl (CEO.NETH PHEAKTRA)

"These illegal activities violate the privacy and dignity of the Minister and undermine the prestige of the Ministry," the statement read.

The ministry ordered the immediate removal of the fraudulent content and called on law enforcement to take legal action against those responsible for identity theft.

The warning comes amid a broader rise in sophisticated cybercrime across the region.

The spokesperson noted that bad actors are increasingly using technology to orchestrate "romance scams, fraudulent investment schemes, or impersonating family members" to solicit bank details and emergency wire transfers.

Common tactics cited by the ministry include high-pressure messaging, such as claims that a relative is in an accident or threats that a bank account will be closed if funds are not transferred immediately.

"We urge the public to exercise high caution," the spokesperson added. "Do not rush to follow instructions from unsolicited messages or calls, even if the callers claim to be authorities or relatives. Always verify the information through official channels before making any financial decisions."

By K. Rithy Reak