Bavet City Cracks Down on Online Scams, Authorities Order Strict Legal Action

Strict legal measures against online scams are being ordered in Bavet City, Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia. A meeting was held on September 3rd at the Bavet City Hall, presided over by Mr. Kham Sophary, Prosecutor of the Provincial Court of Appeal, to discuss strengthening the crackdown on online scam crimes within Bavet City. The meeting was attended by Mr. Men Eng, Deputy Governor of Svay Rieng Province, representing Mr. Peng Porsar, Governor of the Province, as well as Deputy Provincial Prosecutors, Deputy Provincial Police Commissioners, the Mayor of Bavet City, the City Police Commissioner, the City Gendarmerie Commander, officials from the Provincial Department of Posts and Telecommunications, the Provincial Department of Information, the City Administrative Director, and the chiefs of all five communes of the Bavet City administration, along with many other relevant technical officials. The objective of this meeting was to strategize, strengthen law enforcement, and enhance close cooperation between the prosecutor's office, local authorities, all types of armed forces, and relevant ministries and departments to grasp the situation, investigate, identify, and timely prevent all technological criminal activities, especially online scams that affect national security, public order, social safety, and the nation's reputation. During the meeting, Mr. Men Chanra, Mayor of Bavet City, presented a report on administrative inspections conducted in condominiums, hotels, villas, guesthouses, and rental houses in Bavet City from June 4 to August 31, 2026. The inspections identified 978 foreign residents of 9 nationalities (165 females). Furthermore, 559 foreigners of 9 nationalities (90 females) were apprehended in 73 locations in connection with technology-based fraud (Online Scams). A total of 255 locations, including condominiums, hotels, villas, guesthouses, and rental houses, were inspected. In his address, the Prosecutor and the Deputy Governor provided guidance and urged local authorities and law enforcement forces to: 1. Continue to pay close attention to and thoroughly grasp all business locations, rental buildings, and foreign residences within their jurisdiction. 2. Increase information exchange and cooperate with technical departments in monitoring suspicious targets involved in social media and digital system scams. 3. Continue to disseminate information and raise public awareness to be highly cautious and avoid falling victim to various forms of scams. 4. Take the strictest and most rigorous legal action, without exception, against all offenders who commit technological crimes within their jurisdiction. Bavet City, known for its casinos and tourism, has increasingly been identified as a hub for online scams and other illicit activities in recent years. This directive signifies a renewed commitment by Cambodian authorities to combat such criminal enterprises.