Authorities in Cambodia have escalated their crackdown on online scam centers, arresting over 500 suspects in just two days across Kandal and Stung Treng provinces, according to Information Minister Neth Pheaktra. These latest arrests raise the total number of individuals detained since June 27 to 2,137.
The suspects include a mix of nationalities, with large groups of Vietnamese, Indonesians, Chinese, and others from various Asian countries. The raids were part of a broader campaign to dismantle international cybercriminal networks operating within the country.
Cambodia Targets International Cybercrime Syndicates with Sweeping Arrests and Leadership-Backed Directive
The cyber scams, believed to generate billions of dollars annually, are typically run by international criminal syndicates operating across Southeast Asia. These groups exploit victims through fake investment schemes and online relationships.
Among the detainees are hundreds of foreigners, pointing to the international nature of these scam networks. The Cambodian government has declared that the operation will continue relentlessly under a top-level directive to root out cybercrime entirely.
Prime Minister Hun Manet has reinforced the campaign through a new directive mandating strict action from state personnel, threatening job loss or reassignment for those failing to act. Authorities previously arrested 2,418 people in the first half of 2025, leading to 73 prosecutions and over 2,300 deportations. The sweeping action indicates a shift in the government’s resolve to eliminate these operations and restore order and reputation.
Human Rights Groups Warn of Abuse, Urge Transparency in Cambodia’s Cybercrime Crackdown
While the crackdown is welcomed, reports by human rights groups like Amnesty International have exposed severe abuses within scam compounds. Many workers are trafficked under false job offers, only to be held captive and forced to participate in scams under threat of violence.
Amnesty also suggested possible collusion between local authorities and scam operators, particularly Chinese crime bosses who run operations in loosely regulated areas.
The Cambodian human rights group Licadho acknowledged the long-overdue effort, emphasizing the damage cybercrime has done to Cambodia’s global image and economy. Operations director Am Sam Ath said that while the campaign is a positive step, it must be matched with transparency and genuine intent.
He noted that similar initiatives have been launched by other ASEAN countries this year, underlining the regional urgency to combat cybercrime comprehensively.