AKP Phnom Penh, February 27, 2026 -- Cambodian authorities have arrested 81 suspects in a major romance scam case, in which criminals used fake online identities to gain victims’ affection and trust, according to a news release from the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS).

The operation was carried out yesterday at No. 79, L-03 Street, Borey Peng Huoth, Sangkat Prek Prak, Khan Chbar Ampov, Phnom Penh.

Among those arrested were 72 Chinese nationals, including three women, and nine Burmese nationals. Authorities also seized a number of office materials, including desktop computers, laptops, and mobile phones, etc.

H.E. Santepundit Chhay Sinarith, Senior Minister and Head of the CCOS Secretariat, said Cambodia will continue to investigate this transnational crime thoroughly in order to dismantle online scam networks at their roots and eradicate them from the country.

“Currently, Cambodian authorities are investigating more than 100 cybercrime cases, including tracing financial flows and personal assets linked to online scam networks,” he added.

Meanwhile, H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said that since the Royal Government of Cambodia launched its nationwide crackdown in June last year, more than 30,000 suspected foreign scammers have been deported and repatriated to their home countries, while over 210,000 others have voluntarily left the country.

By Heng Panha