AKP Phnom Penh, November 08, 2025 --

Cambodian authorities have detained at least 658 individuals, predominantly foreign nationals, in coordinated operations against two major online scam centres in Bavet city, Svay Rieng province, the Ministry of Interior announced on Nov. 7 evening.

The large-scale raids reflect Cambodia’s “firm and pragmatic commitment” to combatting cyber-enabled fraud and related transnational crimes, according to Mr. Touch Sokhak, Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior.

The operations were executed on Nov. 4, 2025, by the Ministry of Interior’s Taskforce Committee on Combating Online Scams, in cooperation with the General Commissariat of National Police and local provincial police, under judicial oversight.

The first location targeted was a building in Bavet Kandal village. Authorities detained 69 people at this site, including 57 foreign nationals (15 women) representing six different countries, and 12 Cambodian staff members (cleaners, security guards, and interpreters).

The second, significantly larger target was a pair of nine-story twin buildings on Kampong Spean Road, also in Bavet Kandal village, where a total of 601 foreign nationals from four different countries were apprehended.

Preliminary investigations, led by the Ministry’s Taskforce Committee Vice-Chairman, Gen. Keo Vanthan, revealed distinct operations at the two sites – First Site: Primarily used for online scam operations where perpetrators impersonated law enforcement officers to intimidate victims; Second Site: Hosted a wider array of fraudulent schemes, including fake high-return investment opportunities, bogus banking operations, romance scams, fraudulent marathon registrations, and the use of AI Deep Fake videos and images for identity fraud.

Mr. Touch Sokhak underscored that the government is rigorously enforcing the law against these crimes under the leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet. He confirmed that the authorities continue to arrest perpetrators, prosecute offenders, and deport foreign nationals involved, while actively sharing intelligence with regional and international partners.

The deputy spokesperson highlighted Cambodia's extensive efforts in tackling the issue. During the sixth legislature of the National Assembly, Cambodia deported 21,000 foreigners involved in such crimes. Under the current term, some 15,000 foreign nationals have been deported so far.

In the first nine months of 2025 alone, Cambodian police have dismantled 48 online scam operations, leading to the deportation of 2,722 foreign nationals.

Mr. Touch Sokhak concluded that the latest operation serves as further evidence of Cambodia’s “genuine determination and realistic efforts” to contribute to resolving this global challenge.

By K. Rithy Reak