Cambodia Freezes Over $300 Million in Online Scam Crackdown, 446 Cases Sent to Court

Cambodia has frozen more than US$300 million in bank accounts linked to online scam crimes and sent 446 cases involving 3,927 suspects to court, according to a report released by the Secretariat of the Ad-Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS). The figures cover law enforcement operations conducted from July 2025 through Aug. 31, 2026, as part of the national campaign to combat technology-enabled fraud and online scams in Cambodia. The Secretariat said the frozen assets include more than US$300 million held in bank accounts, along with other assets linked to online scam crimes that are undergoing further freezing procedures and valuation. The measures demonstrate the authorities’ firm enforcement of the law and efforts to cut off the financial flows and proceeds of criminal online scam networks, it said. Meanwhile, judicial proceedings are actively underway to prosecute offenders in accordance with the law. Authorities have prepared and submitted 446 cases involving 3,927 accused persons from 29 nationalities to the courts, including masterminds and accomplices. Authorities have also taken legal action against officials found to be involved in online scam activities. Four cases involving 15 suspects have been handled, including a deputy prosecutor, a deputy director-general of immigration, a deputy Phnom Penh municipal police commissioner, a former director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as police and military officials. According to the report, specialised law enforcement forces, acting under the government’s directives, inspected 832 suspected locations and launched crackdown operations at 663 of them. Among these, authorities cracked down on and took control of 86 major scam compounds, with competent authorities currently undertaking legal procedures toward their confiscation in accordance with the law. The CCOS Secretariat stressed that “there are currently no large-scale online scam crime locations remaining in Cambodia.” It noted, however, that some scam activities continue in smaller and more concealed forms, operating from rented rooms, guesthouses, condominiums, houses, vehicles and coffee shops. The Secretariat called for greater cooperation and active participation from all relevant parties and the public in monitoring and reporting suspected locations so that authorities can take timely action. During the crackdown, authorities detained nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 nationalities and assisted in rescuing and repatriating more than 22,000 foreign nationals from 38 nationalities, the report said. Authorities also took legal action against 27 casinos linked to online scam crimes, revoking the licences of 18 casinos and suspending the licences of nine others. The authorities are continuing strict inspections and will take legal action against casinos found to be illegally operating gambling or online sports betting activities. The reported results reflect law enforcement efforts under Cambodia’s national campaign against online scams. The government’s efforts will continue, with competent authorities conducting investigations, crackdowns and legal procedures to eradicate such crimes from Cambodia. The Cambodian authorities also renewed their appeal to the public and all relevant parties to provide information or leads on suspected locations to enable law enforcement agencies to respond quickly and effectively. By C. Nika