Cambodia's Svay Rieng Province Conducts Raids Amid Online Scam Suspicions, 9 Foreign Nationals Found

On August 31, 2026, joint administrative forces from the Svay Rieng Provincial Administration Command Unit conducted an open administrative operation on four apartment units located in Borey Ely Tara, Bavet Kandal Village, Bavet Sangkat, Bavet City. These locations were suspected of being involved in technological fraud (online scams). The operation was carried out in accordance with Sub-Decree No. 03 of the Royal Government of Cambodia, under the direct leadership of Mr. Men Eng, Deputy Governor, representing Mr. Peng Pousa, Governor of Svay Rieng Province. Legal procedures were coordinated by Mr. Chan Vannak, Deputy Prosecutor of the Provincial Court, with participation from Colonel Lay Channy, Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police, and forces from the Bavet City Administrative Command Unit. During the operation, authorities inspected and found a total of nine foreign nationals residing there (one female). They were of two nationalities: Vietnamese (eight individuals, including one female) and Indonesian (one individual, male). Among them, seven individuals possessed valid passports, while two others (male, Vietnamese nationality) did not have passports. Based on on-site inspections of each location: Location 1 (Apartment unit): Authorities discovered a large number of electronic devices suspected of being smuggled goods. No foreign nationals were found residing at this location. The team decided to temporarily seal the premises pending further inspection by relevant technical officials. Location 2 (Apartment unit): Eight Vietnamese nationals (one female) were found residing here. Six of them had passports, while two (male) did not. However, this location was not found to be involved in online scam activities. Location 3 (Apartment unit): No foreign nationals were found residing here. Location 4 (Apartment unit): One Indonesian national (male) was found residing here with a valid passport. This location was also not involved in online scam activities. Regarding the two Vietnamese nationals found residing without passports, the joint working group decided to escort them to the Bavet City Police Inspectorate to proceed with legal procedures.