AKP Phnom Penh, June 09, 2026 --

Phnom Penh municipal authorities have inspected 85 suspected locations across the Cambodian capital, uncovering an online scam operation and an illegal gambling den, while detaining several foreign nationals, an official said Tuesday.

During the sweeps, authorities checked a total of 469 foreign nationals (including 139 women), finding 18 individuals without valid passports, according to Ms. Dor Samphors, spokesperson for the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration.

In Khan Sen Sok, police raided a location at the Borey Amory Sen Sok residential estate, dismantling an online investment scam operation targeted at victims in China. Authorities detained six suspects – five Chinese nationals and one Myanmar national – five of whom were found without passports. Law enforcement seized an array of electronic equipment, including laptops, CPUs, monitors, and dozens of mobile phones.

Separately, in Khan Kambol, authorities busted an illegal gambling operation at the Hyatt (Hailei) Hotel and commercial building along National Road 4. The raid resulted in the arrest of seven Chinese nationals and one Cambodian national. A large cache of gambling paraphernalia was confiscated, including baccarat tables, slot machines, roulette and fish-hunting arcade games, mahjong tables, and currency counters.

The operations were executed under the direct orders of Phnom Penh Governor H.E. Khuong Sreng, who has mobilised command committees across all 14 Khans to eradicate cyber fraud and illegal gambling in the capital.

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

Additionally, police have imposed administrative fines totaling 132 million Riel (approximately US$33,000) against the owners or managers of 12 residential sites housing large groups of people in violation of local regulations.
 

By K. Rithy Reak