AKP Phnom Penh, April 07, 2026  -- In a major crackdown on an online scam operation, Cambodian authorities have arrested over 200 foreign nationals in Phnom Penh’s Khan Sen Sok, the Secretariat of the  Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), said Tuesday.

The large-scale raid took place on Monday at a condominium unit inside the Phnom Penh Galaxy Garden complex in Khan Sen Sok. The operation was launched following suspicions that the location was being used to conduct technology-based fraud.

According to the CCOS, a total of 218 foreign nationals were detained. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were operating a sophisticated scam centre impersonating Japanese police officers, with the primary targets being Japanese citizens. Other fraudulent activities included romance scams and investment fraud targeting victims in China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Among those arrested, there were 93 Chinese nationals, 91 Bangladeshis, 17 Vietnamese, 11 Indians, five Japanese and one Lao national, including 10 women. Authorities said 114 of the detainees did not possess passports.

During the operation, police seized 133 all-in-one computers, 44 laptops, 392 mobile phones, 16 monitors, 15 CPUs, five tablets, two Japanese police caps, five Japanese police uniforms and four fake Japanese police identification cards.

The operation was conducted under the direction of Phnom Penh Governor H.E. Khuong Sreng and Deputy National Police Commissioner and Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief H.E. Lt. Gen. Chhoun Narin, in coordination with Khan Sen Sok authorities and with legal oversight from Deputy Prosecutor Chea Sa of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

All 218 suspects and the seized evidence have been transferred to the Phnom Penh Municipal Police Headquarters for further legal proceedings.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has reaffirmed the Royal Government’s stance, stating that Cambodia will not be a haven for cybercriminals to commit fraud or transnational crimes. He warned that any individuals or entities behind such scams will face the maximum penalties without leniency or intervention.

The new Law on Combating Technology-Based Fraud, comprising five chapters and 24 articles, was promulgated on April 6 after being signed by Acting Head of State Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

The law introduces five new criminal offenses: technology-based fraud; organising or directing a technology-based fraud centre; recruiting or training others to commit technology-based fraud; maliciously collecting identity documents or personal information of others; and establishing a special form of money laundering.

Offenders face prison terms of up to life imprisonment and fines of up to 1 billion riel (approximately US$250,000), in addition to asset forfeiture.

By K. Rithy Reak