SVAY RIENG, Cambodia: Cambodia on Monday granted dozens of national and foreign journalists access to shuttered online scam compounds, allowing them to take photographs and record video footage of the defunct facilities.
The press tour took place just days before Phnom Penh hosts the International Conference on Combating Online Scams, scheduled for Sept. 23-24.
During the visit, media members were shown a shuttered scam casino in Svay Rieng province and a separate scam compound in Prey Veng province. Seized evidence on display at both sites included laptops, desktop computers, servers, CCTV cameras, mobile phones, SIM cards, work permits, passports and documents.
Hay Makara, a member of the Ad-Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), said Cambodia has completely eliminated large-scale scam compounds following a rigorous, year-long nationwide crackdown. However, he warned that syndicates have shifted to decentralised, small-scale operations.
"Since launching the nationwide crackdown on online scam operations, we have investigated 832 suspected locations, and more than 600 of them were found to be involved in online scam operations," he told reporters during the tour, noting that 86 of those sites were classified as large-scale scam compounds.
"To date, all large-scale scam compounds have been dismantled; however, criminals have shifted their tactics to decentralised, small-scale activities, hiding in rental homes, hotel rooms, and even vehicles," Makara added.
Cambodia launched the unprecedented crackdown to dismantle cybercrime networks, ensure public safety and restore its international reputation.
According to CCOS data, the South-East Asian nation deported more than 22,000 individuals of 38 different nationalities between July 2025 and August 2026 for direct involvement in online scam operations. - Xinhua
