Preah Sihanouk Provincial Unity Command detained 469 illegal foreigners in a three-day operation at the Jing Chhay Technology complex in Sihanoukville, the Khmer Times reported on 27 September 2022. The operation ran from 19 to 22 September 2022 at eight buildings in Village 3, Sangkat 11.
The joint force found 467 foreigners, 75 of them female, across 10 nationalities: 274 Chinese (33 females), 6 Taiwanese, 158 Vietnamese (34 females), 15 Malaysians (2 females), 3 Indonesians (2 females), 4 Indians, 3 Thais (1 female), 1 Bangladeshi, 1 Myanmar national (female) and 2 Russian nationals (2 females)1.
Of those, 238 were identified as illegal immigrants, 32 of them female, across 8 nationalities: 99 Chinese (6 females), 2 Taiwanese, 122 Vietnamese (24 females), 5 Malaysians, 5 Thais (1 female), 1 Bangladeshi, 1 Myanmar national (female) and 3 Indians1.
After labor and immigration authorities examined documents, 414 foreigners including 42 females were recorded. Of these, 236 were working without work permits (39 females); they were fined and 118 million Riels was collected in tax for making work permits. A further 35 work permits (8 females) were recorded, and 168 foreigners without passports were found staying in Galaxy World (17 females), including 130 Chinese (8 females), 33 Vietnamese (7 females), 3 Malaysians and 2 Laotians (2 females)1.
| Group | Number | Females |
|---|---|---|
| Foreigners found at the complex | 469 | 75 |
| Illegal immigrants | 236 | 32 |
| Working without work permits | 236 | 39 |
| Without passports, staying in Galaxy World | 168 | 17 |
The specialized force identified offenses including illegal online gambling, human trafficking and prostitution. The Sihanoukville Unity Command set out measures including closing all businesses at the site except the restaurant, temporarily closing floors in Buildings 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 and 11, and handing seized material and property to the Sihanoukville Unification Committee1.
"Build cases related to illegal online gambling, send to court and continue to investigate money laundering crimes."
The Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection unit of the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Police Commission was to build a case of human trafficking and prostitution, send 5 suspects to court and continue to investigate money laundering1.
What it means for players
The raid targeted illegal online gambling operations inside a closed compound, not licensed casinos or betting shops. For anyone gambling in Cambodia, the practical effect is on the illegal online market: operations run out of compounds like this one are the same kind of unlicensed sites that can freeze withdrawals, change terms or disappear. The Gambling Scams and Safety in Asia guide covers how fake sites and scam compounds work and how to report them. Legal gambling in Cambodia is a separate market, and the Cambodia guide sets out where gambling is permitted and who may enter.
What happens next
Cases related to illegal online gambling were to be sent to court, with money laundering investigations continuing. Five suspects in the human trafficking and prostitution case were to be sent to court. The report does not say when those court steps will take place, and no outcome has been reported.
