Cambodia Cracks Down on Online Scams, Arrests Over 1,200 in August Operations

The Ministry of Interior of Cambodia has announced that during its operations throughout August 2026, authorities cracked down on 85 remaining small-scale online scam operations, arresting 1,255 suspects. This operation is part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to eradicate online fraud. The arrested suspects hailed from 13 different nationalities. Chinese nationals accounted for the largest group with 732 arrests, followed by Vietnamese nationals (323), Cambodian nationals (94), Thai nationals (53), Indonesian nationals (24), Myanmar nationals (9), Nepalese nationals (4), Malaysian nationals (4), Indian nationals (3), Pakistani nationals (3), Bangladeshi nationals (3), South Korean nationals (2), and Laotian nationals (1), according to a report from the National Police General Commissariat. During the same period, the General Department of Immigration implemented procedures to deport a total of 2,005 foreigners (320 women) who had violated immigration laws. Of these, 574 individuals (11 women) from 11 nationalities were involved in online scams. In cooperation with the Chinese Embassy, 473 Chinese nationals (20 women), including 228 involved in online scams, were deported on special flights. Also in August, Ministry of Interior forces conducted administrative inspections at 3,657 target locations, examining a total of 17,834 individuals. On the roads, authorities inspected and detained 269 vehicles and 2,763 people suspected of involvement. These enforcement actions are considered a crucial part of preventing the movement of criminals and dismantling organized crime networks. Furthermore, in August, authorities identified and fined owners and managers of locations violating Sub-decree No. 03, totaling 822,240,000 Riel (approximately $205,560 USD). This included fines of 1,200,000 Riel under Article 19 and 821,040,000 Riel under Article 20. Source: AKP Khmer