PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has referred 2,773 suspects to court in connection with 268 online scam cases during the first year of a nationwide crackdown on technology-based fraud, with Prime Minister Hun Manet describing the law enforcement campaign as "a major step forward".
However, he stressed that enforcement efforts must continue without pause.
The figures were presented in a one-year progress report covering the nationwide campaign from July 2025 to June 30, 2026.
The report was submitted by Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, chairman of the Commission for Combating Technology-enabled Scams (CCTC), at a Cabinet meeting on July 24 chaired by Hun Manet at the Peace Palace.
According to the report, 2,200 of the 2,773 suspects remain in pre-trial detention. Cambodian nationals account for 313 of those detained, while the remainder are foreigners. The report said 353 of the suspects are women.
The report highlighted the scale of law enforcement operations over the past year, with authorities identifying and raiding 665 locations linked to online scam activities. Of these, 582 were identified as active scam compounds, while 83 were used as safe houses or hideouts. Authorities said 537 premises have since been sealed to prevent further criminal operations.
Investigators also examined all 195 licensed casinos across the country as part of the campaign. The review resulted in the revocation of 19 casino licences and the suspension of 30 others over alleged links to online scam activities. Another 23 casinos were found to have already ceased operations after their licences expired.
In addition, authorities deported 21,102 foreign nationals from 38 countries during the reporting period. Most were citizens of China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh who had either violated Cambodian immigration laws or were linked to online scam operations.
The report said Cambodia had strengthened international cooperation throughout the campaign, working with China, the United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Asean member states, INTERPOL, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Mekong-Lancang Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center (LMLECC) to combat transnational cybercrime.
Authorities also opened several enforcement operations to domestic and international media, allowing journalists to visit scam compounds following police raids. Officials described the move as an effort to demonstrate transparency and provide evidence of the government's actions against organised cybercrime.
The crackdown has also been reinforced by new legislation. Cambodia's Law on Combating Technology-Based Fraud, which came into force on April 7 this year, introduced substantially tougher penalties for offenders.
Under the new law, those convicted of leading or organising online scam networks may face life imprisonment, fines of up to 1 billion riel ($250,000) and the confiscation of assets.
In conclusions endorsed at Friday's Cabinet meeting, Hun Manet said the nationwide campaign had achieved "a major step forward" in dismantling online scam networks operating in Cambodia.
He instructed all relevant authorities to continue the campaign without interruption, stressing that criminal networks must be eradicated completely rather than merely disrupted.
Hun Manet likened the campaign to "cleaning one's own house", saying the removal of online scam networks was essential to strengthening Cambodia's rule of law, national security and international reputation, while creating a more secure environment for sustainable economic development.- Phnom Penh Post/ANN
