Cambodia Prosecutes Over 2,700 in First Year of Cyber Fraud Crackdown; International Cooperation Targets Criminal Networks

Cambodia's nationwide crackdown on cyber fraud has yielded significant results in its first year, with Prime Minister Hun Manet describing law enforcement efforts as “a major step forward” while stressing the need for continuous enforcement. Since the campaign's inception, Cambodian authorities have referred 2,773 suspects to court in connection with 268 online scam cases. The figures, covering the period from July 2025 to June 30, 2026, were presented in a progress report to a Cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister at the Peace Palace. Of the 2,773 suspects, 2,200 remain in pre-trial detention. Cambodian nationals constitute 313 of those detained, with the remainder being foreigners. Women accounted for 353 of the suspects. The crackdown involved identifying and raiding 665 locations linked to online scam activities. Of these, 582 sites were identified as active scam compounds, and 83 as safe houses or hideouts. Authorities have sealed 537 premises to prevent further criminal operations. Furthermore, all 195 licensed casinos across the country were examined as part of the campaign. This led to the revocation of 19 casino licenses and the suspension of 30 others over alleged links to online scam activities. Another 23 casinos had already ceased operations after their licenses expired. During the reporting period, Cambodian authorities deported 21,102 foreign nationals from 38 countries. The majority were citizens of China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh, found to have violated immigration laws or been connected to online scam operations. Cambodia has bolstered international cooperation throughout the campaign, collaborating with China, the US, South Korea, Japan, Australia, ASEAN member states, INTERPOL, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Mekong-Lancang Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center (LMLECC) to combat transnational cybercrime. To enhance transparency and provide evidence of the government’s actions against organised cybercrime, authorities also allowed domestic and international media to visit scam compounds following police raids. New legislation has also reinforced the crackdown. Cambodia's Law on Combating Technology-Based Fraud, enacted on April 7 this year, imposes significantly tougher penalties, including life imprisonment, fines of up to 1 billion riel ($250,000), and asset confiscation for those convicted of leading or organizing online scam networks. In conclusions endorsed during Friday’s Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Hun Manet reiterated that the campaign had achieved “a major step forward” in dismantling online scam networks operating in Cambodia. He instructed all relevant authorities to continue the campaign without interruption, stressing that criminal networks must be eradicated completely rather than merely disrupted. Hun Manet likened the campaign to “cleaning one’s own house,” highlighting its importance for strengthening the rule of law, national security, international reputation, and fostering a more secure environment for sustainable economic development. Source: Phnom Penh Post