AKP Phnom Penh, April 02, 2026 --

Cambodian authorities have arrested 20 foreign nationals, including two women, in an overnight crackdown on alleged online fraud operations in the capital, officials said Thursday.

The suspects – 19 Chinese nationals and one Kyrgyz citizen – were detained during a joint operation targeting a suspected scam compound in Khan Sen Sok late Wednesday, according to the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS).

Authorities seized a large volume of equipment believed to be used in the operation, including 846 mobile phones, 51 CPU units, 54 monitors and a number of international SIM cards. Additional items recovered from a storage facility included 31 all-in-one desktop computers, two CPU units and 18 monitors.

The raid was carried out under the direction of Phnom Penh Governor H.E. Khuong Sreng and Phnom Penh Police Chief Choun Narin, with coordination from local authorities and prosecutor.

Preliminary forensic analysis of the confiscated electronic devices indicated the suspects had used Cambodia as a base to conduct fraudulent online investment schemes targeting victims in Germany, the United States and other parts of Europe, the statement said.

All 20 suspects, along with the seized evidence, have been handed over to the Phnom Penh Municipal Police for further questioning and legal proceedings.

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has pledged to eradicate cyber scam operations from Cambodia by April 2026, vowing that the country will not serve as a haven for cybercriminals and that those involved will face the full force of the law.

By K. Rithy Reak