Cambodia claims to have eradicated all online scam compounds

Phnom Penh, The Cambodian government announced on August 27 that it had successfully eradicated all large-scale online scam compounds within the country, claiming that 624 such sites had been shut down and nearly 30,000 individuals had been detained during a sweeping crackdown. Officials presented their findings to foreign diplomats during a briefing, asserting that no substantial fraudulent operations remained active. The announcement followed months of intensified efforts by law enforcement agencies under the leadership of Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, head of the Ad-Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS). According to official figures released by the government, law enforcement teams conducted inspections of approximately 793 suspected scam locations between July 2025 and August 20, 2026. Of these, 624 were raided, resulting in the arrest of nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 different nationalities. In addition to the arrests, 58,266 foreign nationals were reportedly rescued and deported, while 3,477 criminal suspects from 29 countries were placed in pretrial detention. Two high-profile figures, Chen Zhi and Li Xiong, Chinese businessmen who had obtained Cambodian citizenship, were among those extradited earlier this year after being arrested on charges related to orchestrating online scams. The government cited the passage of a new law in March 2026, which imposed severe penalties, including life imprisonment, for those involved in online scam operations. This legislative move was part of a broader campaign aimed at dismantling the country’s reputation as a hub for international cybercrime. The crackdown was also marked by the seizure of assets linked to the scam networks, though specific financial figures were not disclosed. Despite the government’s optimistic claims, independent observers and human rights organizations have expressed caution. Mark Taylor, an anti-trafficking consultant with experience in Cambodia, stated that there are credible signs that significant scam operations continue to operate in the region. He noted that the recruitment of foreign workers into Cambodia for scam-related activities persists, often through deceptive job offers that lead to exploitative working conditions. These individuals, many of whom are subjected to near-slavery, are frequently involved in “romance” and cryptocurrency scams that have generated global losses estimated between $88.3 billion and $114.1 billion in 2025, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Michael Brosowski, founder of the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a Vietnam-based anti-human trafficking organization, acknowledged that some scam compounds have indeed closed. However, he emphasized that reports of trafficking incidents have not ceased entirely. “There is no doubt that some of Cambodia’s criminal compounds used for online scamming have closed,” Brosowski said, noting a sharp decline in calls from trafficked individuals. “We hope that the Cambodian government will keep its commitment to close down these compounds and give greater protection to victims of this crime.” While the government maintains that its efforts have achieved comprehensive results, critics argue that the absence of independent verification makes it difficult to assess the true extent of the impact. The situation underscores the complex challenges faced by Cambodia in addressing a deeply entrenched problem that involves not only cybercrime but also transnational human trafficking. As the government moves forward, continued monitoring and collaboration with international bodies will be essential to ensure sustained progress.