Cambodia Cracks Down on Online Scams: Prime Minister Inspects Affected Areas

Prime Minister Hun Manet of the Kingdom of Cambodia personally inspected locations that were previously hotbeds for online scams in Koh Kong province. This visit followed the successful implementation of the national campaign to restore security and honor for the nation and its people. Despite Cambodian authorities announcing the dismantling of 86 major scam compounds and the suppression of 663 locations, the mission is not yet complete. Law enforcement and competent authorities are continuing their thorough investigation and monitoring of all suspicious sites without leaving any loopholes. The government is determined to use iron-fisted measures to sever networks and completely end online scams, leaving no room for criminal elements. The public and all partners are encouraged to provide information about suspicious scam locations for timely and highly effective intervention, crackdown, and eradication by the authorities. This visit by the head of government sends a clear political message to the world that Cambodia will not and has never allowed any part of its territory to become a haven for online scam criminals. During his inspection of sites in Koh Kong province, the Prime Minister focused on areas that were previously hot zones, especially the Tarasakor development area and other suspicious locations in Koh Kong province, which have been used by criminal syndicates for cross-border fraud activities. Currently, these locations have been completely shut down by law enforcement forces and local authorities. Major scam compounds and smaller network locations have been cracked down upon, their technological equipment confiscated, and the sites completely sealed off. Legal procedures are underway for asset confiscation without exception. Concurrently, full security management is ensured, with authorities implementing strict 24/7 surveillance to guarantee that no clandestine operations can be re-established. This aims to restore the country's image, rebuild investor confidence, ensure a legitimate business environment, and promote tourism activities and sustainable economic development for the local population. The Prime Minister's presence in Koh Kong highlights the results of the "National Campaign to Eradicate Online Scam Offenses," stemming from the active, persistent, and unwavering efforts of Cambodian law enforcement forces and competent authorities in all 25 provinces and capitals since July 2025 until August 31, 2026. Over approximately 14 months of continuous operations to dismantle and destroy the roots of online crime, Cambodian authorities have cracked down on 663 locations, with 86 scam compounds being closed and managed for strict legal confiscation. Furthermore, over $300 million in bank accounts have been frozen, along with other assets undergoing ongoing freezing and valuation procedures. Key figures and foreign criminal networks have been arrested and prosecuted according to the law. A total of 446 cases are in judicial proceedings, involving 3,927 defendants, including ringleaders and accomplices from 29 nationalities. Legal measures have also been applied to officials found to be involved in 4 cases, implicating 15 suspects, including a deputy prosecutor, a deputy director-general of immigration, a deputy police commissioner of Phnom Penh, a former director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and several police and military officers. In parallel, over 22,000 foreigners from 38 nationalities have been repatriated to their home countries in accordance with legal procedures and human rights standards, in close and sincere cooperation with their respective embassies. It should be noted that these individuals were rescued and saved by the authorities from illegal labor, exploitation, and inhumane torture by foreign criminal masterminds. The Prime Minister's personal inspection serves as living testimony to the Cambodian government's resolute and unwavering political will to protect national sovereignty and to restore and enhance the nation's honor and prestige on the international stage. Cambodia is not only destroying old havens and breaking up criminal networks but is also strengthening legal mechanisms, continuing to clean up offenses, enhancing technological security management, and promoting close international cooperation to absolutely ensure that online scam offenses do not recur. By: Kong Sirirath © All rights reserved by Agence Kampuchea Presse 2018