The Royal Government of Cambodia, through the Secretariat of the Ad-Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), revealed before nearly 50 foreign diplomatic representatives and international organizations in Cambodia that there are currently no online scam compounds operating in the country. This follows the complete eradication of large-scale online scam operations, strict legal actions against perpetrators, networks, and involved officials, alongside the systematic establishment of a cybersecurity legal framework. Meanwhile, Cambodia is set to host an International Conference in September 2026 to call for genuine global cooperation and political will to end online scams.
PHNOM PENH: H.E. Chhay Sinarith, Senior Minister in charge Special Mission and Head of the Secretariat of the Ad-Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), highlighted that over a period exceeding one year (from July 2025 to August 20, 2026), specialized law enforcement forces launched operations to investigate and inspect a total of 793 suspected locations, leading to actual crackdowns on 624 sites and the detention of nearly 30,000 suspects representing 39 nationalities.
These remarks were made during a briefing meeting providing updates on the nationwide campaign against online scams, delivered to approximately 50 representatives of foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations in Cambodia on the afternoon of August 27, 2026, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
During the meeting, which featured active Q&A sessions with immediate responses from Cambodian officials, the Senior Minister detailed that authorities gathered evidence from an additional 169 crime sites abandoned by fleeing perpetrators. Regarding legal measures against offenders, Cambodian authorities rescued and deported a total of 58,266 foreign nationals (including 7,282 women), of whom 22,045 individuals across 38 nationalities were directly involved in online scam operations.
Alongside deportation measures, strict legal proceedings were applied to core targets, with law enforcement filing and forwarding 408 cases to court. Following judicial procedures, 3,477 suspects from 29 nationalities were arrested and placed in pre-trial detention. These suspects include citizens from China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Nepal, Yemen, Switzerland, South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, Australia, Ukraine, France, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand. Meanwhile, authorities continue to actively track down 855 additional suspects pursuant to court-issued arrest warrants.
Indeed, online scam remains a complex global threat that severely impacts assets and victims worldwide, including in Cambodia. Perpetrators frequently relocate and rapidly adapt technological methods in their scam operations. However, for Cambodia, under the leadership of CCOS, large-scale scam activities have been brought fully under control, and there are currently no online scam compounds remaining in the country.
The Senior Minister emphasized to the meeting that online scam compounds have been entirely eradicated, while strict legal action has been enforced against criminal targets and complicit officials. Specifically, the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) took action on 4 cases, arresting 15 high-ranking officials and law enforcement officers, including a Deputy Prosecutor, a Deputy Director General of Immigration, a Deputy Commissioner of Phnom Penh Municipal Police, a former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as several police and military officers.
Although large-scale sites have been completely cleared, criminal groups have altered their tactics to decentralized, small-scale activities, hiding in guesthouses, condominiums, rental houses, vehicles, and coffee shops. In response, Cambodian law enforcement continues relentless investigation and crackdown operations without exception. Simultaneously, the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC) has strictly enforced regulations, cracking down on 27 casinos—revoking licenses for 18 and suspending licenses for 9. Authorities are also actively inspecting and taking firm legal measures against casinos conducting unauthorized online gambling or online sports betting operations.
On that occasion, H.E. Chhay Sinarith also informed the meeting that alongside the enforcement of the Law on Combating Online Scams, Cambodia is accelerating the drafting of additional legal frameworks, including the Draft Cybersecurity Law, the Draft Cybercrime Law, and regulations governing virtual assets. Building and strengthening this robust legal system reflects Cambodia’s political will and proactive stance to eliminate and prevent these offenses from recurring, ensuring socio-economic security.
The Senior Minister informed diplomatic representatives that Cambodia will host the “International Conference on Combating Online Scams” on September 23–24, 2026, under the theme “Acting Together towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams,” bringing together government delegates, international organizations, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, tech companies, research institutes, and key stakeholders to share experiences, best practices, and strengthen joint cooperation against this global threat.
The Senior Minister called on all parties to participate actively, emphasizing that combating this global crime requires tangible international cooperation, whereas the absence of any party would clearly demonstrate a lack of political will to address this shared challenge. He stressed that Cambodia remains fully open to all international cooperation to prevent the resurgence of online scams and to enhance Cambodia’s active contribution to regional and global efforts against online scams.
