AKP Phnom Penh, August 17, 2026 --

The Royal Government of Cambodia has made significant progress in its nationwide crackdown on technology-based scam networks, dismantling hundreds of scam centres, prosecuting thousands of suspects and deporting tens of thousands of undocumented foreign nationals linked to illegal activities.

During the large-scale campaign, launched under the firm direction of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, from July 2025 to June 2026, authorities inspected nearly 30,000 suspected locations, completely shut down 737 illegal online scam centres, initiated investigations into 195 casinos, revoked the licences of 19 casinos and temporarily suspended operations at 30 others.

A total of 268 major cases involving 2,773 suspects were submitted to the courts, with more than 2,200 suspects placed in pre-trial detention. In addition, 21,100 undocumented foreign nationals of 38 nationalities linked to scam networks were deported through international border gates and airports.

Speaking at a press conference on the progress of the crackdown, H.E. Touch Sokhak, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior, said the results demonstrated the Government’s determination to combat online scams and ensure that Cambodia would not become a safe haven or money-laundering base for technology-related criminals. He said law enforcement authorities, under the leadership of H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, would continue taking firm action against illegal scam operations.

Investigations by the Anti-Cyber Crime Department revealed that online scam centres operate as organised criminal networks rather than ordinary fraud operations. They typically have senior managers and team leaders who assign targets, supervise workers and systematically collect victims’ information. Criminal groups also use high-speed internet, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), encrypted messaging applications and other technologies to conceal their identities and locations.

Common schemes include cryptocurrency investment fraud, romance scams and illegal online lending schemes targeting victims both inside and outside Cambodia. Lt. Gen. Sok Nithya, Director of the Anti-Cyber Crime Department of the National Police, said authorities had strengthened their technical capacity and cooperation with internet service providers to trace criminal networks and dismantle their command centres.

A major shift in the campaign has been the focus on dismantling entire criminal chains and pursuing masterminds, rather than targeting only lower-level workers. Several high-level suspects have been arrested and extradited to China for prosecution, including Chen Zhi, founder of Prince Holding Group; Liu Ren, founder of Jinbei Group; and Li Xiong, former chairman of Huione Group, according to the report.

Cambodia has also strengthened its legal framework. In April 2026, the Law on Combating Technology-enabled Scams was officially promulgated, providing severe penalties for masterminds and organisers of online scam networks whose activities result in torture, unlawful confinement or death, including life imprisonment and fines of up to 1 billion Riel (about US$250,000). The law also provides protection for people who were forced or trafficked into working at scam centres, recognising them as victims rather than criminals.

H.E. Koeut Rith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, described the new law as a powerful legal instrument and stressed that the Government’s primary objective was to break the criminal chain from the masterminds. He added that the arrest and extradition of high-level criminals demonstrated that no one was above Cambodian law.

Cambodia is also strengthening international cooperation to combat transnational online scams through information sharing, exchanges of technical expertise and capacity building for law enforcement officials. As part of these efforts, Cambodia will host the International Conference on Combating Online Scams in Phnom Penh from Sept. 23 to 24, 2026, under the theme “Together Towards Disrupting the Chain and Ending Online Scams.” More than 30 countries and international organisations are expected to attend the event.

India, Indonesia, the United States and China have expressed support for the conference, with their representatives expected to contribute to discussions and share experience in combating technology-related crimes.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet has stressed that Cambodia is not a haven for technology criminals and described the nationwide crackdown as an effort to “clean our house” and restore Cambodia’s reputation internationally. He has also urged authorities to maintain the fight against online scams without relenting, stressing that dismantling the roots of scam networks is an important part of strengthening the country and its economy.

The campaign, therefore, is not a temporary operation but part of the Royal Government’s long-term commitment to creating a safe, clean and trusted digital environment. Through stronger law enforcement, victim protection and expanded international cooperation, Cambodia is seeking to ensure that its territory is not used as a base for technology-related criminal networks and to build a more secure foundation for its digital economy and society.

By C. Nika