AKP Phnom Penh, July 23, 2025 --

Cambodian authorities have successfully concluded a sweeping, month-long operation against online scam operations, dismantling 138 locations and apprehending more than 3,000 suspects nationwide.

The extensive crackdown, which ran from June 27 to July 22, 2025, underscores Cambodia's heightened commitment to combating sophisticated cybercrime, according to the Secretariat of the Ad Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams.

The comprehensive operation was initiated following the inaugural meeting of the above-said commission on June 27 and reinforced by strict directives from Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet on July 15. This led to coordinated inspections and raids by authorities across all 25 municipal and provincial administrations.

The anti-scam offensive yielded significant results: Authorities conducted crackdowns at 138 sites across Phnom Penh and 16 provinces, including Kandal, Preah Sihanouk, Kampong Speu, Banteay Meanchey, Kratie, Pursat, Kampot, Koh Kong, Oddar Meanchey, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, Pailin, Takeo, Svay Rieng, Siem Reap, and Thbong Khmum.

Notably, 153 Vietnamese nationals, including 18 women, were rescued in Pursat province.

A total of 3,075 suspects were arrested, including 606 women. The arrests involved a diverse range of nationalities:  1,028 Chinese nationals (89 women); 693 Vietnamese (190 women); 366 Indonesians (70 women); 105 Indians (9 women); 101 Bangladeshis (27 women); 82 Thais (13 women); 57 Koreans (2 women); 81 Pakistanis (3 women); 13 Nepalese; 4 Malaysians; and those from the Philippines, Laos, Cameroon, Nigeria, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Mongolia, Russia, Myanmar, and other countries.

Authorities confiscated a wide array of items crucial to the scam operations. These included desktop and laptop computers, mobile phones, suspected narcotics (ketamine powder and other substances), Chinese police uniforms, digital scales, drug-related equipment, firearms, and ammunition.

Following the raids, all implicated locations were sealed to prevent any further illicit activities. Key individuals identified as ringleaders have been transferred to court for legal proceedings. In Phnom Penh, 11 ringleaders and associated evidence were handed over to the court, resulting in pre-trial detention orders for eight individuals. Furthermore, 17 Chinese nationals (2 women among them) have been moved to a holding facility in Sihanoukville, awaiting deportation.

Coordination with the General Department of Immigration is ongoing for the repatriation of other foreign nationals.

Confiscated evidence has either been submitted to the courts or remains securely stored by municipal and provincial authorities for ongoing investigations.

This large-scale nationwide crackdown underscores Cambodia’s reinforced resolve in combating cross-border cybercrimes and protecting victims of online scams. The operation aligns with the Royal Government’s unwavering commitment to upholding public security and the rule of law within the Kingdom.

By K. Rithy Reak