AKP Phnom Penh, April 13, 2026 --

Cambodian authorities have detained more than 300 foreign nationals following a massive coordinated raid on a major cybercrime hub operating out of a high-end hotel in the capital's Khan Daun Penh.

The operation, conducted on April 12, targeted a suspected online scam centre located within the Wyndham Grand Phnom Penh Capital Hotel on Preah Monivong Boulevard. 

The raid was executed by a multi-agency task force under the direct orders of Phnom Penh Governor H.E. Khuong Sreng and Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Chuon Narin, with legal coordination provided by Deputy Prosecutor Seng Heang.

A total of 311 individuals, including 31 women, were taken into custody. The suspects represent five different nationalities: China: 254 individuals (144 found without valid passports); Malaysia: 30 individuals; Vietnam: 23 individuals; India: 2 individuals.

During the sweep, authorities seized a vast array of technical equipment used to facilitate fraudulent activities, including 615 mobile phones, 140 laptops, 31 all-in-one computers, six monitors, and three CPUs.

Specialised investigators concluded that the suspects utilised the Cambodian base to orchestrate various digital crimes. Key activities included: Investment Scams: Luring victims into fraudulent schemes, specifically using the name "Nanhua Singapore" to target individuals in Malaysia; Cryptocurrency Fraud: Deceiving victims into "investing" in non-existent digital assets; Government Impersonation: Posing as government officials to defraud citizens in Taiwan.

The raid also uncovered evidence of illicit drug use on the premises. All suspects and seized evidence have been transferred to the Phnom Penh Municipal Police Headquarters for further legal proceedings.

The crackdown comes just days after Cambodia’s comprehensive Law on Countering Technology-Based Scams went into effect on April 7, 2026. The legislation, signed by Acting Head of State Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, consists of five chapters and 24 articles.

The new law introduces five distinct criminal offenses, including the organisation of scam centres and the recruitment of individuals for cybercrime. Penalties under the new framework are severe, ranging from heavy fines of up to 1,000 million Riel (US$250,000) to life imprisonment, along with the total seizure of assets.

Senior Minister H.E. Santepundit Chhay Sinarith, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), issued a stern warning following the arrests. He urged those involved in such syndicates to surrender and cooperate with authorities to identify kingpins. He also cautioned property owners to conduct rigorous due diligence, warning that leasing buildings to criminal groups undermines national security and will face the full weight of the law.

By K. Rithy Reak