CCF director-general Phan Oun said at the meeting recently. CCF
The Ministry of Commerce’s Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression directorate-general (CCF) has instructed all owners of companies, enterprises, craftspeople, merchants and traders to report any information they might have regarding any encounters with persons who have been masquerading as officials to demand money from businesses.
CCF director-general Phan Oun said on February 28 that recently his department had received reports of people who have been posing as officials to demand money from business owners by telling them that they can help solve problems, mediate disputes or ensure that their business location would not be subject to government inspection.
“CamControl was closed in 2019. Today, the officials from the CCF do not go around asking people to pay them money – they are only authorised to enforce the law, educate the public about the law and give rulings on compliance with some regulations related to consumer protection, competition and fraud repression in preparation for actions that would then be carried out by law enforcement.
“Now, we are in discussions with the ministries of Justice; Economy and Finance; and Commerce . . . If those people turn out to be actual officials then we will ensure they are punished according to the law,” he said.
The CCF’s press release on February 25 encouraged business owners and the public to report such cases to the CCF through their official Facebook page or via the following telephone numbers: 023 231 856 or 012 526 660.
The press release added that when on duty the specialists of the CCF always wear their uniforms with insignia and stripes. They also carry ID cards and letters of commission for cases where they are performing work that falls outside of their normal purview.
Currently, the CCF’s mandate is established by two separate laws – the law on quality control, product safety, consumer protection and services and the consumer protection act – as well as some other regulations.
The overall organisational goal of the CCF is to make businesses in Cambodia honest, and ensure that there is fair and equal competition between them.
They also work to protect the rights of businesses and consumers and to ensure the quality and safety of consumer products, in addition to activities related to fraud prevention.
