Cambodian authorities have shut down 86 large-scale online scam compounds and placed them under government control, holding 5,778 suspects in prisons as part of an intensified national crackdown, Senior Chhay Sinarith announced.
Crackdown Nears Six Thousand Detentions Across Multiple Provinces
The sweeping operations have led to 529 distinct cases being filed with the courts. Investigators are examining organized criminal networks, actual scam operations, allegations of torture and unlawful confinement, victim recruitment, and money-laundering schemes.
Senior Chhay Sinarith, who leads the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams, noted that while major compounds face closure, smaller-scale operations continue to surface almost daily. These localized criminal hubs have been identified in Phnom Penh, Preah Sihanouk province, and Banteay Meanchey province, particularly around Poipet.
“Based on investigations and on-site inspections, 86 scam compounds have been shut down and placed under the control of government authorities, and legal action is being taken,” Sinarith told RFI Khmer.
Authorities have identified approximately 97 domestic organized criminal networks engaging in scams and money laundering through legitimate businesses. An estimated 100 additional networks operate overseas.
International Networks and Legal Consequences
The syndicates involve foreign nationals from nearly 40 countries, including China, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Japan, and Thailand. Law enforcement officials point to Chinese nationals as the primary masterminds behind the operations, while local Cambodian nationals have also been recruited or lured into participation.
The 5,778 individuals currently detained span multiple nationalities. The government is strictly enforcing its anti-scam legislation, targeting property owners who lease space to illicit operators.
“Our anti-scam law is being strictly enforced, particularly against property owners who continue to provide opportunities for these groups to operate, whether intentionally or unintentionally. They must be held accountable,” Sinarith said.
| Enforcement Metric | Reported Figure |
|---|---|
| Scam Compounds Shut Down | 86 |
| Suspects Held in Prisons | 5,778 |
| Cases Filed with Courts | 529 |
| Identified Domestic Networks | 97 |
| Identified Overseas Networks | ~100 |
Property owners who knowingly allow criminal groups to utilize their premises face severe legal repercussions, including potential property confiscation. The future of the 86 closed compounds will be determined by individual court rulings concerning asset seizure and money laundering.
The government’s nationwide campaign began intensifying in 2025, driven by a stated political commitment to eliminate online scam activities and prevent criminal syndicates from establishing secure bases in urban centers or remote rural regions.
