PHNOM PENH — The Department of Anti-Cybercrime (ACCD) is issuing an urgent public notification to caution citizens regarding the unauthorized impersonation of its official identity via instant messaging platforms, specifically Telegram.
ACCD recently detected that unidentified perpetrators have illegally created a Telegram account bearing the Department’s exact official name and using the ACCD logo as its profile cover. This fraudulent account is specifically identifiable by the handle @ACCD_OFFICIAL_chat.
The perpetrators have engaged in direct fraudulent activity, initiating communication and chats with citizens, leading the public to mistakenly believe they are interacting with the official governmental authority. The Department emphasizes that the unauthorized use of a state institution’s identity for the purpose of deception and financial gain constitutes a severe criminal offense.
Such actions fall under the legal classification of Swindling, which is stipulated and penalized under Articles 377 (Swindling) and 378 (Swindling by unlawful means) of the Penal Code of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Department is currently undertaking rigorous investigation procedures to identify the individuals responsible for this fraudulent scheme and will proceed with full legal prosecution to hold them accountable.
ACCD wishes to reiterate clearly that the Department does not operate any dedicated Telegram accounts for receiving official complaints, conducting private communications, or requesting personal information. The Department exclusively maintains an official Telegram Channel for the sole purpose of disseminating public information, sharing technology updates, and providing cyber-awareness tips to help citizens safeguard against online scams. Citizens are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution regarding any accounts claiming to be ACCD that request personal data or financial transactions.
