1 hr ago
Cambodia Freezes Over $300 Million Linked to Online Scams
Cambodia says it has frozen more than $300 million connected to online scams.
Officials carried out a nationwide crackdown lasting more than a year.
They said nearly 30,000 people from many countries were detained.
More than 22,000 people believed to be directly involved were deported.
Authorities also said they rescued and deported 58,266 foreign nationals in total.
They inspected hundreds of suspected locations and acted against 27 casinos.
Eighteen casino licenses were permanently revoked, while nine were suspended.
Officials say large scam compounds no longer operate in Cambodia.
However, they acknowledge that smaller scam groups are still hiding in places such as rented rooms and private homes.
Cambodian authorities froze more than $300 million in bank accounts linked to online scam crimes.
Authorities forwarded 446 case files involving 3,927 suspects from 29 nationalities to court.
Officials reported suppressing 663 scam operations and apprehending nearly 30,000 suspects between July 2025 and August 2026.
More than 22,000 people directly involved in scam operations were deported, while 58,266 foreign nationals were rescued and deported overall.
Authorities said large-scale scam compounds had been eliminated, although smaller covert operations continue in homes, guesthouses, vehicles and coffee shops.
- Who
- Cambodian authorities, led by Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith and the Secretariat of the Ad-Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams, targeted scam networks and suspects from dozens of nationalities.
- What
- Authorities froze more than $300 million, detained nearly 30,000 suspects, referred 446 case files to court and deported people linked to online scams.
- Where
- Across Cambodia, including suspected scam sites, casinos, rental rooms, guesthouses, private homes, vehicles and coffee shops.
- When
- The reported crackdown took place from July 2025 through August 2026, with inspections continuing through August 20, 2026.
- Why
- The actions were intended to suppress cyber-fraud networks and eliminate large-scale online scam compounds.
Official crackdown claims
Continuing scam concerns
Status of large-scale compounds
Official crackdown claims
Cambodian officials say large-scale online scam sites and compounds have been entirely eradicated after a year-long nationwide crackdown.
Continuing scam concerns
The same officials acknowledge that fraudulent activity persists in smaller, covert operations located in rental rooms, guesthouses, private homes, vehicles and coffee shops.
Reported enforcement totals
Official crackdown claims
The authorities cite hundreds of inspections and operations, nearly 30,000 arrests or apprehensions, frozen funds and casino license penalties as evidence of progress.
Continuing scam concerns
The reports contain differing enforcement figures: one gives 663 suppressed operations, while another cites direct crackdowns on 624 sites after 793 locations were inspected.
Key facts
- Frozen funds
- More than $300 million in bank accounts linked to online scam crimes.
- Court cases
- 446 case files involving 3,927 suspects from 29 nationalities were forwarded to court.
- Detentions
- Nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 nationalities were apprehended, according to the press release.
- Locations inspected
- 793 suspected locations were inspected; officials reported direct crackdowns on either 624 sites or 663 operations, reflecting differing figures in the reports.
- Casino penalties
- Of 27 targeted casinos, 18 had their licenses permanently revoked and nine were suspended.
- Foreign nationals rescued and deported
- 58,266 foreign nationals, including 7,282 women, were rescued and deported.
- Direct scam involvement
- 22,045 people from 38 nationalities were identified as directly involved in online scam operations.
Quotes
Secretariat of the Ad-Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams
Cambodian government commission coordinating the crackdown on online scams
“While some fraudulent activities persist, they have shifted to small-scale, covert operations hidden in rental rooms, guesthouses, private homes, vehicles, or coffee shops.”
thehansindia.com
“Spanning more than a year, the nationwide crackdown has enabled Cambodian authorities to freeze over 300 million US dollars in bank accounts linked to online scam crimes.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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