805 Arrested in Sihanoukville as Cambodia Intensifies Nationwide Anti-Cyberfraud Crackdown

Cambodian authorities have detained more than 800 foreign nationals in a sweeping raid on a suspected online scam centre in Sihanoukville, marking one of the largest single operations in the country’s escalating campaign against transnational cybercrime.

The operation, carried out on Tuesday in Preah Sihanouk province, resulted in the arrest of 805 suspects and the seizure of hundreds of electronic devices believed to have been used in fraudulent activities. Officials say the crackdown forms part of a nationwide drive to dismantle cyberfraud networks before the Khmer New Year in April.

Casino Tower Targeted in Coordinated Swoop

The raid unfolded inside a casino building in Village Buon, Buon commune, in the coastal city of Sihanoukville. Authorities inspected the 18th and 19th floors of the building, where they uncovered what they described as a large-scale online scam operation.

The operation was conducted under directives from the National Police Chief and led by the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Unified Command, with legal coordination from the provincial court prosecutor.

Lieutenant General Sar Ratha, Deputy National Police Chief and head of the provincial police, deployed specialised units alongside provincial military police to secure and search the premises.

According to officials, those detained include nationals from China, South Korea, Japan, the United States, the Philippines, Pakistan and India. Several Cambodian nationals were also among the suspects.

Law enforcement officers confiscated approximately 650 computers and 1,000 mobile phones, equipment authorities believe was central to the alleged scam operations.

Part of the “XXL” Anti-Scam Campaign

The Sihanoukville raid is the latest in a series of actions under the government’s so-called “XXL” campaign — a sweeping initiative declared earlier this month aimed at eradicating all forms of technological fraud across the country by April.

Officials have made clear that local authorities will be held directly responsible for eliminating scam operations in their jurisdictions. Those found complicit with criminal networks face what the government has described as “serious consequences.”

In the capital, Phnom Penh authorities have pledged to complete their own clean-up even sooner.

Speaking at a meeting reviewing progress on anti-scam operations, Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng said city authorities are determined to dismantle all online scam syndicates by the end of March 2026.

“To eliminate online scams on the local front, we absolutely must eliminate all the scammers,” he said, calling for strict and rigorous enforcement across all 14 districts of the capital.

District governors have been instructed to conduct regular inspections and swiftly act on suspicious locations. The campaign, Sreng said, is being carried out alongside broader efforts to maintain public order and deliver essential services.

“We are not abandoning other work to only do this,” he noted. “Maintenance of security, public order, and public services to citizens at the local level must also be strengthened at the same time.”

Hundreds of Centres Closed, Thousands Deported

The government’s Commission for Combatting Online Scams, chaired by Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, reports significant progress since the intensified campaign began late last year.

According to Sinarith, nearly 200 transnational fraud centres have been shut down in recent weeks. Authorities have arrested 173 senior crime figures allegedly linked to these operations and deported approximately 11,000 workers.

Among the most prominent figures targeted was alleged kingpin Chen Zhi, whose arrest and deportation to China signalled what officials described as one of the strongest blows yet against organised cybercrime networks operating in Cambodia.

The crackdown has also exposed a complex human dimension. Thousands of scam workers — some believed to be trafficking victims — have fled high-security compounds in search of assistance from their embassies, prompting concerns from rights groups.

Amnesty International has described the situation as a “humanitarian crisis,” highlighting the vulnerability of individuals who were allegedly coerced into participating in fraudulent operations.

Rebuilding Reputation and Investor Confidence

For years, Cambodia’s reputation has been shadowed by reports of sprawling scam compounds operating in coastal hubs such as Sihanoukville. The rapid growth of online fraud networks has drawn scrutiny from regional governments and international observers.

Chheng Kimlong, president of the Asian Vision Institute, welcomed the government’s firm stance, saying sustained enforcement is crucial to restoring confidence.

“We hope that the effort will continue so that the goal of eradicating online scams could be realised,” he said.

Kimlong added that international cooperation — particularly through information-sharing and technical support — would strengthen Cambodia’s ability to combat increasingly sophisticated cybercrime networks.

“Cambodia has no need for online scam syndicates,” he said. “What it needs are legitimate investments that create jobs and contribute to the national and local economies.”

A Defining Test Before April

The scale of the Sihanoukville raid underscores Phnom Penh’s determination to demonstrate tangible results ahead of its self-imposed deadline in April.

With more than 800 suspects detained in a single operation, the message from authorities is unambiguous: the era of tolerance for cyberfraud networks is ending.

Whether the campaign will permanently dismantle the entrenched structures of transnational scam syndicates remains to be seen. But as the Khmer New Year approaches, Cambodia’s leadership appears intent on proving that the country is no longer a safe haven for online fraud operations — and that restoring its international standing is now a national priority.