PHNOM PENH: A joint task force in Mondulkiri province has carried out a major crackdown on a suspected online scam operation in the centre of Sen Monorom town, detaining a total of 262 foreign nationals, including 58 Thai citizens — highlighting the involvement of neighbouring nationals in cross-border cyber fraud networks.
The operation took place on April 10, under the coordination of the provincial unified command, with legal oversight from a deputy prosecutor at the provincial court.
Authorities targeted a commercial building owned by the Mongtor Zhali Seng Maocheng Company, which was suspected of being used as a base for online scam activities.
“The initial objective of the operation was to locate Indian nationals, following a request from the Indian embassy in Cambodia. During an on-site inspection, authorities discovered a suspicious number of foreign nationals. This prompted a full-scale search of the premises,” said a law enforcement source.
The raid netted 262 foreigners (including 47 women) from nine nations. Among them, 58 were Thai nationals, 27 of them women, making them the second-largest group after Chinese nationals.
“Based on testimonies from several Thai nationals, they were lured into illegally crossing the border via Banteay Meanchey province with promises of high salaries ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 baht ($625 to $1,250). Upon arrival in Cambodia, they say they were forced to engage in online scam operations,” said the source.
One Thai national claimed he entered Cambodia via Phnom Penh International Airport in November 2025 and initially worked in Bavet city, Svay Rieng province, before being transferred to the Mondulkiri site last February.
Investigators determined that the network targeted victims in Thailand through fake online sales schemes, as well as in the US, through fraudulent cryptocurrency investment offers.
During the operation, authorities seized 420 desktop computers and 1,450 mobile phones.
Three suspected managers — two Chinese nationals and one Myanmar national — have been transferred to the provincial court for prosecution.
The remaining 259 foreigners have been passed to the General Department of Immigration for deportation procedures.
Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the owner of the premises, who is currently evading their enquiries.
The seized equipment has been sent to specialist officers for forensic analysis to identify additional networks.
Chhay Sinarith, head of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), urged all individuals involved in such activities to come forward and cooperate with authorities to dismantle transnational criminal networks and strengthen public security.
He also reminded property owners not to lease buildings or residences to criminal groups for illegal operations.
The Law on Combating Online Scams officially came into force on April 7. It introduced severe penalties for offenders, including life imprisonment, fines of up to one billion riel ($25,000), and asset confiscation. - The Phnom Penh/ANN
