AKP Phnom Penh, August 22, 2025—

Cambodian authorities have arrested 3,170 suspects from 19 different nationalities in a massive, 53-day nationwide crackdown on online scam operations, officials announced today.

From June 27 to August 18, the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS) reported that law enforcement dismantled 72 online scam centers across 18 provinces and the municipality. Of those arrested, legal proceedings have been initiated against 66 identified ringleaders. More than 2,450 suspects have already been deported.

The crackdown reflects the Cambodian royal government's intensified commitment to fighting online fraud, a directive issued in July to "root out all illegal cybercrime activity," according to a CCOS statement.

This operation is part of a broader, three-year effort by authorities. According to CCOS data, over the last three years, Cambodia has arrested more than 24,000 suspects, including 23,990 foreign nationals who were deported. 

Additionally, authorities have rescued over 4,800 victims from 27 different nationalities.

By Heng Panha