AKP Phnom Penh, February 18, 2026 —

Cambodia has launched a nationwide crackdown on cyber-scam operations, signaling a "zero-tolerance" stance against transnational digital fraud.

In a briefing held Wednesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Santepundit Chhay Sinarith, Senior Minister and Head of the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), updated representatives from 26 embassies and the European Union on the Kingdom’s escalating enforcement efforts.

Since June 2025, Cambodian authorities have intensified operations under the direct oversight of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet. H.E. Sinarith reported that joint task forces have successfully raided approximately 2,500 locations, resulting in 200 major cases of online fraud being dismantled.

The scale of the crackdown is reflected in the volume of seized equipment and personnel actions: 10,444 computers and 36,476 smartphones; more than 8,000 foreign nationals have been processed for deportation; over 200 physical locations, including converted casinos used as fronts for scam centres, have been shuttered indefinitely.

Authorities estimate that over 210,000 foreign nationals have departed the country voluntarily as enforcement tightened, while several ringleaders remain under active investigation after fleeing their bases.

Cambodia’s judiciary has also ramped up its role. According to Ministry of Justice reports, courts have processed cases against more than 500 individuals, including high-profile ringleaders and associates. Notable prosecutions include the "Chen Zhi" and "Oknha Ly Kuong" cases, alongside major foreign-led syndicates.

Parallel to criminal prosecution, Cambodian police have worked with international partners to rescue numerous victims trafficked into "scam factories" and forced to labour for criminal networks.

H.E. Sinarith extended gratitude to partners including the United States, China, South Korea, the Philippines, Interpol, UNODC, and the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation for their technical and operational support.

However, the Minister emphasised that the fight is far from over. He called for continued international assistance in: Specialised training in transnational crime suppression; Provision of advanced forensic equipment; Collaborative tracking of illicit capital flows to uproot the financial foundations of these syndicates.

To ensure long-term security, the Cambodian Royal Government is currently fast-tracking a Draft Law on Counter-Cybercrime. The legislation, presently undergoing inter-ministerial review, aims to establish a rigorous legal framework with severe penalties to prevent future illicit digital activities and ensure a safe digital environment.

Reiterating the Royal Government’s resolve, Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet has previously declared that Cambodia will not serve as a sanctuary for cybercriminals. The administration maintains that any individual or entity found backing these operations will face the maximum extent of the law without exception or intervention.

By K. Rithy Reak