Deputy Provincial Police Chief Dies of Illness Amid Online Scam Investigation in Cambodia

Banteay Meanchey Province: Brigadier General Oum Sophal, Deputy Provincial Police Chief of Banteay Meanchey, passed away on the morning of September 25, 2026, due to a severe illness. Days prior, he had been brought in for questioning by authorities regarding allegations of renting out locations used for online scam operations in Poipet city. According to an official from the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Police, Brigadier General Oum Sophal was brought in for questioning at the Provincial Police Headquarters starting September 21, following a crackdown by specialized forces on two suspected online scam locations in Poipet city. The operation discovered a total of over 200 foreigners and Cambodians in the two buildings. The first building, a five-story structure, contained 172 rooms and one hall, while the second, a two-story building, had 59 rooms and one hall. Among the foreigners found were 174 Thai nationals (67 of whom were women), 10 Bangladeshis, 8 Indonesians, 3 Filipinos, 2 Chinese, 2 Indians, and 1 Malaysian. Twenty-three Cambodians, including 15 women, were also found. These foreigners have been sent to the Kampong Svay Center in Banteay Meanchey province for further proceedings. A number of materials and equipment suspected of being involved in scam activities were confiscated and sent to the Provincial Police Headquarters for examination and legal action. Authorities have also decided to temporarily close both buildings until further notice. A police official stated that Brigadier General Oum Sophal was brought in for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation and evidence collection related to the aforementioned locations. As of September 23, he remained at the Provincial Police Headquarters to provide clarifications and answer investigators' questions. Currently, authorities are continuing their investigation and evidence collection to identify those involved and take legal action. Brigadier General Oum Sophal's death on September 25 occurred just days after he was brought in for questioning concerning this case. CEN Cambodia extends its deepest condolences to the family and relatives of Brigadier General Oum Sophal. May his soul rest in peace.