AKP Phnom Penh, April 01, 2026 --

Cambodian authorities have prosecuted roughly 750 suspects and deported 11,000 foreign nationals over the last nine months, marking a decisive escalation in the Kingdom’s war on industrial-scale online fraud.

The figures were disclosed Wednesday by Senior Minister H.E. Santepundit Chhay Sinarith, Vice Standing Chairman of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), during a briefing at the Senate’s Solidarity Palace. 

The session, attended by over 200 senators, lawmakers and CCOS’s Secretariat officials, highlighted the Royal Government’s progress toward its goal of eradicating cyber-scam syndicates by the end of April 2026.

From July 2025 to March 2026, Cambodian law enforcement executed more than 250 targeted raids. These operations led to 80 formal case files being sent to court, involving 750 suspects. 

The group comprises a diverse range of nationalities, including citizens of South Korea, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Singapore, as well as local Cambodian operatives.

Senior Minister H.E. Sinarith noted that the pressure from authorities has forced criminal organisations to change their "modus operandi."

"Online scam syndicates are no longer congregating in casinos or large commercial buildings as they once did," the Senior Minister stated. "Under the heat of our crackdowns, these criminal nests have been broken. Survivors are now hiding in smaller groups within gated residential communities (Boreys), apartments, and condos, attempting to blend in with the general public to evade arrest."

The scale of the sweep is reflected in the deportation of 11,000 foreign nationals—primarily from China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Thailand—linked to cyber-fraud activities.

Furthermore, authorities have conducted rigorous inspections of over 10,000 suspected locations across the capital and provinces, accounting for roughly 80,000 foreign residents of 78 different nationalities.

To prevent the return of these syndicates, the Royal Government of Cambodia is finalising the Law on Combating Online Scams. The draft was approved by the National Assembly on Mar. 30 and is set for a Senate vote on April 3. 

Officials describe the law as a vital instrument to ensure "the zero-return" of cybercrime.

Common tactics identified by investigators include: Romance Fraud: Manipulating victims through fabricated online relationships; Investment Scams: Promising unrealistic returns on "guaranteed" projects; Phishing/Data Theft: Using fake prize notifications to harvest private information; Recruitment Fraud: Luring individuals into forced labour via high-salary job postings.

Senate Second Vice President H.E. Thun Vathana expressed strong support for the initiative, characterising Cambodia as a victim of international criminal elements. He noted that the "cleanup campaign" is essential for restoring the country's international standing and protecting its image.

The nationwide operation follows a firm directive from Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, who has vowed to clear the Kingdom of cyber-scam operations by April 2026. The Prime Minister has warned that any individuals or entities found sheltering these criminals will face the "highest level of punishment" without exception.

By K. Rithy Reak