Phnom penh: The Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) has issued a warning to the public about fraudulent schemes involving individuals who advertise and offer purported social media account and page protection services for a fee.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the TRC recently observed several individuals promoting services labeled as 'account protection services' or 'page protection services.' These individuals claim they can safeguard users' accounts or pages from being disabled, suspended, deleted, or lost, often alleging to have direct connections with social media companies or specialized technical tools to appear credible.

The TRC clarified that any assertion of guaranteeing account or page protection in exchange for payment is false information and may be considered fraudulent, potentially leading to legal consequences under current laws.

The TRC noted that such schemes typically aim to instill fear among users, prompting them to pay money or reveal confidential information, including phone numbers, email addresses, passwords, OTP codes, or page administration rights. These actions could lead to the irrevocable loss of account control, financial losses, personal or financial data theft, and the exploitation of stolen accounts for further fraudulent activities targeting victims' networks.

To safeguard against these threats, the TRC advised the public against sharing passwords or OTP codes and cautioned against paying individuals who claim they can protect, restore, or guarantee social media accounts or pages. Users are encouraged to refrain from assigning administrator or editor rights to unfamiliar individuals, avoid clicking on dubious links or installing apps from unknown sources, and enable two-factor authentication while distinctly designating page administrators.

The TRC emphasized compliance with Cambodian laws and regulations, as well as the terms and community standards of individual social media platforms. It reiterated that paying any fee does not replace or diminish users' obligations under Cambodian law or platform rules.

The public is urged to report any suspected fraudulent activity or irregular services related to social media account and page protection to the TRC via phone at 6789 during business hours, email at [email protected], or its Facebook page, '????????????????????????? - Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia.' All reports will be kept confidential.