Cambodia Cracks Down on Romance Scams Fueled by Social Media

The Cybercrime Department has launched an investigation and crackdown on fraud cases via social media, under the guise of love scams, arresting one female suspect. The suspect is accused of selling her phone number and bank account to criminal groups to use in receiving money obtained from fraudulent activities. This was reported by Kampuchea Thmey Security on the morning of September 11, 2026, via the Cybercrime Department's Facebook page. This operation was carried out under the command of National Police Chief General Sok Thet and the guidance of the Deputy National Police Chief. Sources indicate that the Cybercrime Department began its investigation and crackdown on the aforementioned case on September 8, 2026. With cooperation from the Prosecutor General's Office of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, authorities arrested one suspect, identified as S.C.N., female, Cambodian. Through its investigation, authorities determined that the suspect had sold her phone number and bank account to criminal groups and received compensation for this illicit act. The criminal groups then used this phone number and bank account as a means to receive the proceeds of their fraud activities against citizens. Currently, the suspect is being detained by the Cybercrime Department, and the case file has been sent to the Prosecutor General's Office of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for further legal proceedings. The Cybercrime Department also reiterated its warning to the public not to provide or sell their personal phone numbers and bank accounts to individuals of unclear origin for use in committing crimes, as they may face legal responsibility and penalties. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Security