Preah Sihanouk Authorities Crack Down on Suspected Online Scam Sites, Detain 9
AKP Phnom Penh, March 27, 2026 -- In an ongoing campaign to tighten security and public order, combined forces from the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administrative Unity Command have continued to inspect and crack down on suspected locations involved in online scams.
According to a report released on Mar. 26, 2026 by the combined authorities of Preah Sihanouk province, task forces inspected 80 suspected houses at Borey Kuch Asia, located in Village 2, Sangkat 3, Preah Sihanoukville. As a result, authorities seized evidence including 133 computers, 439 mobile phones, and five air guns.
During a third round of inspections at a casino in Village 4, Sangkat 4, Preah Sihanoukville, authorities discovered nine suspects along with evidence related to fraudulent activities, including computers and mobile phones. The items were collected as evidence for ongoing legal proceedings. The suspects and related evidence have been handed over to the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Police Commissioner’s Office for further questioning and case preparation before being sent to court in accordance with legal procedures.
As of Mar. 26, 2026, combined authorities in Preah Sihanouk province have cracked down on 16 locations linked to online scam offenses, out of a total of 596 suspected sites inspected under the framework of Sub-Decree No. 03.
The Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), reported that from 2025 through the second week of March 2026, authorities and municipal-provincial administrations have cracked down on and sealed a total of 236 locations nationwide. Among these, 91 were casinos, and 145 were residential sites including boreys, villas, condominiums, and other residences.
According to a report from the Ministry of Justice, over the past eight months, Cambodian courts have processed 79 cases related to online fraud, convicting 697 masterminds and accomplices of various nationalities. Major cases included those involving Chen Zhi and Ly Kuong. Authorities noted that more than 220,000 masterminds and involved individuals have fled Cambodia by air and land.
Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has reaffirmed a firm commitment to completely eradicate technology-based fraud offenses from Cambodia by April 2026. The Prime Minister stated clearly that Cambodia will not be a haven for cybercriminals to commit offenses, and any individuals or entities behind such activities will face the highest penalties without exception or intervention.


By K. Rithy Reak





