AKP Phnom Penh, April 03, 2026 --

Cambodian National Police have detained 107 foreign nationals following a targeted raid on an illegal online gambling and cyber-scam operation hosted at a casino in Svay Rieng province, authorities confirmed Friday.

The joint operation, conducted on April 1, targeted the Shanghai Resort casino in Samrong commune, Chantrea district. The raid was spearheaded by Lt. Gen. Hem Sovath, Deputy Commissioner General of the National Police, with legal coordination from Dora Ang Pratean Deputy Prosecutor of the Svay Rieng Provincial Court.

The crackdown follows a direct mandate from Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha to eliminate unauthorized digital gaming and fraudulent online activities within the Kingdom.

Security forces identified 107 foreign nationals (including 26 women) from four different countries involved in the operation: 67 Chinese individuals (7 women); 21 Indonesian individuals (9 women); 17 Vietnamese individuals (8 women); and 2 Myanmar individuals (2 women).

In addition to the arrests, authorities seized a massive cache of digital infrastructure used to facilitate the crimes. The inventory includes 1,421 smartphones, 89 "all-in-one" desktop computers, 57 laptops, 73 iPads, and seven safes.

According to a report from the Department of Anti-Commercial Gambling, investigators have categorised the suspects based on the nature of their involvement: Four suspects are facing charges for operating the unauthorised "BABY SLOT" gambling website. They have been referred to the Svay Rieng Provincial Court for prosecution; Two suspects identified as key players in online scamming operations have been handed over to the Svay Rieng Provincial Police Commissariat for further investigation; The remaining 101 foreign nationals have been transferred to the General Department of Immigration to undergo administrative and deportation procedures.

By K. Rithy Reak