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CAMBODIAN authorities have detained 81 suspects in a major crackdown on online scams, seizing hundreds of mobile phones, computers, and wigs in raids conducted as part of a nationwide campaign against cybercrime.
According to the Secretariat of the Commission to Combat Technology Crime (CCTC), the majority of those arrested were foreign nationals, including 72 Chinese and nine Burmese citizens. Forensic investigations indicate that the suspects were involved in technology-based fraud, particularly “love scams” targeting unsuspecting victims.
Officials said that further investigations are ongoing to identify the ringleaders behind the sophisticated network, with authorities intensifying efforts in Phnom Penh and 24 other provinces to combat both small-scale and large-scale criminal operations.
In the past eight months, CCTC reported that over 200 online scam networks had been uncovered, including those operating within casinos. Operations have also prompted 223,610 foreign nationals from China, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to leave Cambodia voluntarily between 13 January and 26 February.
“Several masterminds of these operations have fled authorities, some leaving Cambodia for other countries to continue fraudulent activities. Others remain in the country, operating in small groups from rented homes or mobile setups,” said CCTC.
Senior Cambodian Minister Chhay Sinarith, who oversees the special task force and serves as CCTC Chairman, emphasised that authorities are committed to pursuing cross-border crime to its roots.
“Currently, Cambodian authorities are investigating more than 100 cases of technology-related fraud. The special task force is focusing on tracing financial flows and personal assets linked to online scam networks,” he said.
The raids and ongoing investigations reflect a sustained effort by Cambodian authorities to clamp down on cybercrime and safeguard the country from the increasing reach of transnational online fraud schemes. - March 1, 2026
