On the final day of January 2026, Cambodian authorities launched one of their largest coordinated law-enforcement operations against technology-enabled fraud, targeting a casino-linked complex in Svay Rieng province.
The operation took place at the Vann Cheng Casino (A7) compound in Bavet city and resulted in the detention of 2,044 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in online scam activities. According to the National Police, those detained included 1,792 Chinese nationals, 179 from Myanmar, 177 Vietnamese, 36 Indians, and 30 Nepalis, along with smaller numbers from other countries. This wide range of nationalities highlights the organized and cross-border nature of online scam networks.
Officials described the crackdown as part of a zero-tolerance approach toward online scam crimes. Dr. Touch Sokhak, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, stated that the operation was intended to show that Cambodia does not provide protection for criminal activity. The message was directed not only at domestic audiences but also at international observers and criminal groups operating across borders.
The operation was not an isolated case. According to Ministry of Interior statements, during the first nine months of 2025, Cambodian authorities conducted 48 operations targeting online scam networks. These actions resulted in 168 suspects being sent to court and 2,722 foreign nationals being deported. In January 2026, authorities also extradited a major scam ringleader to China after several months of investigation.
These developments point to a shift from ad-hoc enforcement toward a more systematic approach. In February 2025, the government established a National Committee to Combat Online Scams to improve coordination across agencies and raise the issue to a national policy level, with Prime Minister Hun Manet serving as its chair.
At the same time, the data highlights a broader reality: online scams are inherently transnational crimes. Although scam centers may appear to operate in one country, their victims, financial flows, and digital systems often cross borders. Cambodia’s use of deportation, extradition, and international cooperation reflects an understanding that lasting solutions depend on shared responsibility and coordinated enforcement under a rules-based framework.