Cambodia has declared it no longer hosts any compounds dedicated to international online scams, following a significant government crackdown. Officials claim the complete eradication of large-scale cybercrime operations, strict legal actions against perpetrators, and the establishment of a cybersecurity legal framework.
Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, head of the Ad-Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), announced the alleged success at a meeting with representatives from foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations. The commission stated that the crackdown involved investigating numerous suspected scam locations, raiding hundreds of sites, and detaining nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 nationalities. Cambodian authorities reported rescuing and deporting 58,266 foreign nationals, with 3,477 criminal suspects from 29 nationalities arrested and placed in pretrial detention.
The government's efforts were highlighted by the extradition of two alleged kingpins of the illicit trade, Chinese businessmen Chen Zhi and Li Xiong. Cambodian lawmakers also unanimously adopted a new law in March targeting online scam operations, with potential sentences of up to life in prison, aligning with a government pledge to shut down these centers by the end of April.
However, the government's claims have been met with skepticism from independent groups that have monitored these scam compounds. These compounds are notorious not only for defrauding billions of dollars globally but also for engaging in human trafficking, often forcing recruited foreign nationals into near-slavery conditions through false job offers. A July report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime indicated that such scams caused estimated combined losses ranging from $88.3 billion to $114.1 billion in 2025.
Mark Taylor, an independent international anti-trafficking consultant, expressed strong doubts about the completeness of the eradication, stating, "There are credible indicators that significant scamming operations continue and that recruitment of foreign workers into Cambodia for scamming work continues." He believes that confidence in the government's assertion of complete eradication is misplaced.
Michael Brosowski, founder and strategic director of Blue Dragon Children's Foundation, a Vietnam-based anti-human trafficking organization, adopted a more cautious approach. He acknowledged that some compounds have closed, noting a significant decrease in calls from trafficked individuals, though he stressed that the issue has not entirely stopped. Brosowski expressed hope that the Cambodian government will uphold its commitment to closing down remaining compounds and enhancing victim protection.
Between July 2025 and August 20, 2026, Cambodian law enforcement investigated 793 suspected scam locations and raided 624 sites, according to Chhay Sinarith.