Cambodia has closed almost 200 scam compounds and arrested more than 170 senior crime figures in what officials describe as the country’s most sweeping crackdown yet on transnational fraud. The campaign, launched late last year, has also seen 11,000 workers deported, many of them victims of trafficking forced into online scams.

Authorities gave rare access to one of the shuttered sites in Kampot province, near the Vietnam border, where reporters found rows of computer stations, scripts for targeting Thai victims, and even a mock police station designed to trick callers. The complex, known locally as My Casino, was allegedly run by former tycoon Ly Kuong, who was arrested in January and charged with fraud, illegal recruitment and links to organised crime.

Officials admit they struggled to contain the exodus of thousands of workers after Kuong’s detention. “We have only about 1,000 policemen in the entire province and about 300 military policemen,” Kampot’s police chief Mao Chanmothurith said. “Even with both forces combined, we couldn’t stop 6,000 to 7,000 people leaving.”

The crackdown follows the US indictment and China’s extradition of a China-born alleged scam mastermind, a move that spurred Cambodian authorities to act against the sprawling networks. Amnesty International has described the situation as a “humanitarian crisis”, with many scam workers reporting brutal conditions before fleeing compounds.

While officials insist this campaign is broader than previous efforts, critics remain sceptical. Cambodia has long downplayed the existence of scam centres, and past raids have failed to stem their growth. The arrest last week of journalist Hem Vanna, who exposed violence at a scam compound in Banteay Meanchey, has further fuelled concerns about press freedom. Reporters Without Borders has called for his immediate release, warning that authorities are silencing those who highlight human rights abuses.

For now, Phnom Penh is keen to show progress. But with thousands of workers displaced and questions over how deep the networks run, Cambodia’s crackdown may be only the beginning of a long battle against organised cybercrime.

-2026-02-12

On 2/12/2026 at 9:06 AM, geovalin said:

Cambodia has long downplayed the existence of scam centres

... but there were at least some 200 of them.

Says it all.

4 hours ago, mfd101 said:

... but there were at least some 200 of them.

Says it all.

It says more that until recently, there was little cooperation from China and neighboring countries who have far more resources.

On 2/12/2026 at 9:06 AM, geovalin said:

Cambodia has closed almost 200 scam compounds and arrested more than 170 senior crime figures in what officials describe as the country’s most sweeping crackdown yet on transnational fraud.

So they haven't even arrested one scam center boss per scam center raided. That's a bit underwhelming!