Cambodia Steps Up Online Scam Crackdown; Media Inspects Former Criminal Sites

Cambodian media representatives have inspected former online scam hubs to assess the progress of the government's crackdown on such activities. On September 21, 2026, 79 national and international journalists from 39 media outlets visited the "Golden Galaxy" casino in Bavet City, Svay Rieng Province. This followed an earlier inspection of a former online scam center located within the Meanchey Commercial Center in Kamchay Mear District, Prey Veng Province. The inspection, facilitated by the Ministry of Information, was attended by the provincial governor, the prosecutor, and officials from the ad hoc committee for combating technological scams. The objective was to review the results of past crackdowns, demonstrate that large-scale online scam centers are no longer operating in Cambodia, and gather detailed information on subsequent legal measures. According to Peng Porsak, Governor of Svay Rieng Province, the "Golden Galaxy" casino is situated in Bavet City and owned by a Chinese national, Hong Xingzhe. However, two Vietnamese nationals, Le Van Nguyen and Nguyen Van Vinh, had leased the premises to conduct online scam operations. During the operation, authorities identified 244 individuals involved in the scams, representing four nationalities: Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Cambodian. Vietnamese nationals constituted the largest group, with 182 individuals. Three key figures were arrested, and other suspects are undergoing deportation procedures via the General Department of Immigration. Governor Porsak explained that the location was used for online scams where perpetrators impersonated government officials to lure individuals into crossing borders for employment at their designated targets. He clarified that the impersonation would match the target country; for instance, Chinese officials for Chinese targets and Vietnamese officials for Vietnamese targets. Some operations, though based in Cambodia, defrauded victims in other countries through their branch networks. The crackdown was initially planned before April 7, 2026, due to suspicions of online scam activities. However, the building owner claimed the premises were closed for renovation. Authorities determined this was a fabrication to conceal the scam operations. "They were renovating while secretly operating and committing fraud without our knowledge. They used this renovation facade to deceive authorities. But due to strong suspicions and intelligence reports, we proceeded with the raid even during the supposed renovation," the governor stated. During the raid, laptops, mobile phones, and national flags of the targeted nationalities were discovered on the 7th floor of the casino building and in adjacent rear structures. The governor asserted that scam compounds are no longer in operation. However, criminals are adapting and evading authorities by dispersing and hiding in smaller locations such as rented houses, rooms, carts, or vehicles. Svay Rieng Province has a total of 28 casinos. Three casinos have had their licenses revoked following crackdowns: two in Bavet City and one in Chanthrea District. Another casino in Bavet City is currently undergoing legal proceedings for license revocation, bringing the total to four casinos facing such measures. Hai Makara, Secretary-General of the ad hoc committee for combating technological scams, reported that from July 2025 to the end of August 2026, Cambodian authorities cracked down on 663 online scam locations, with 86 scam compounds closed and managed for legal confiscation. Additionally, over $300 million in bank accounts have been frozen, with ongoing procedures for freezing and valuing other assets. By: Ritthy © All rights reserved by the National News Agency of Cambodia 2018