Cambodia Freezes Over $300M in Assets in Cyber Scam Crackdown; 446 Cases, 3927 Suspects Prosecuted

Cambodia has announced the freezing of over $300 million in assets as part of an operation lasting more than a year, aimed at combating cyber scams. The campaign, conducted from July 2025 to August 2026, targets the eradication of technologically-facilitated fraud. According to the Secretariat of the Committee to Combat Cyber Fraud (គ.ប.ឆ.ប.), a significant portion of the frozen funds are held in bank accounts, with further related assets undergoing ongoing freezing procedures and valuation. This signifies the resolute legal enforcement and measures taken to sever financial flows and profits derived from criminal activities. Judicial proceedings are also actively underway, with a total of 446 cases submitted to the courts, prosecuting 3,927 suspects. These individuals include ringleaders and their accomplices, hailing from 29 different nationalities. Furthermore, authorities are implementing strict legal measures against government officials found to be involved. Four cases involving 15 suspects have been processed, including a deputy prosecutor, deputy director-general of immigration, deputy police commissioner of Phnom Penh, a former deputy director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and several police and military officers. Specialized forces, acting under strict government orders, have investigated and monitored a total of 832 suspicious locations, leading to raids and crackdowns at 663 of them. Additionally, 86 major scam compounds have been suppressed and brought under control, with legal procedures for confiscation currently in progress. The Secretariat stated, "Currently, there are no more large-scale scam locations in Cambodia." While some scam activities persist, they have shifted to smaller, clandestine operations conducted from rented rooms, guesthouses, condominiums, private homes, vehicles, or cafes. To address this evolving situation, authorities are urging active cooperation and information sharing from all parties involved, especially the public. Prompt reporting of suspicious locations enables law enforcement to take timely action. During the operation, nearly 30,000 suspects were detained. Cambodian authorities have facilitated the rescue and repatriation of over 22,000 foreign nationals from 38 nationalities. Legal actions have also been taken against 27 casinos implicated in cyber fraud. Licenses for 18 casinos have been revoked, and 9 have had their licenses suspended. Authorities continue to rigorously monitor casinos for illegal online gambling or sports betting activities, with strict legal measures to follow. These results represent the practical application of law enforcement on the ground, achieved within the framework of the national campaign against online scams. The government remains committed to continuing investigations, crackdowns, and legal procedures to completely eliminate this crime from Cambodia. The Secretariat welcomes and reiterates its call to the public and all parties to provide information or clues about suspicious locations, enabling swift responses and effective collaboration from law enforcement.