Cambodia has declared victory in its campaign against online scam centres, insisting that none remain in the country. But rights groups and analysts warn the lucrative industry is far from dismantled. Senior minister Chhay Sinarith told foreign diplomats last week that “large‑scale scam activities have been brought fully under control, and there are currently no online scam compounds remaining.” Officials said criminal groups had shifted to smaller operations hidden in guesthouses, condominiums and cafés, which authorities continue to target. Amnesty International voiced scepticism, noting the entrenched networks and profits involved. “The true test of long‑term success is not how many compounds have closed, but whether the actors responsible have been investigated, prosecuted and prevented from resuming operations,” said Montse Ferrer, the organisation’s co‑regional director. Scam compounds, often run by Chinese gangs, have proliferated across Cambodia and neighbouring countries since the pandemic, employing tens of thousands of trafficked workers under harsh conditions. Reuters reporters visiting seized sites earlier this year found evidence of abuse and large‑scale fraud. Since mid‑2025, Cambodian authorities say they have investigated nearly 800 suspected locations, shut down more than 600, and detained close to 30,000 suspects from 39 nationalities. Analysts acknowledge international pressure has disrupted the visible compounds but caution that deeper networks remain intact. Jacob Sims, a Harvard visiting fellow, warned that without independent verification, claims of eradication should be treated carefully. “The bigger risk for the international community is confusing visible disruption with dismantling the underlying networks and political protection that made the industry possible,” he said. For now, Cambodia’s announcement marks a symbolic step, but experts argue the real challenge lies in uprooting the financial pipelines and protection systems that have allowed scams to thrive. -2026-08-30
