Cambodian authorities shut down a suspected online scam operation at the Xiyuen Suvon Company casino site in Preah Vihear province, near the Laos border, in a clampdown carried out on July 19, the provincial administration said. The site has been fully shut down1.
Provincial Governor Kim Rithy said enforcement at the site included cutting internet and electricity connections, which led to the evacuation of workers. No equipment such as computers or phones was found at the scene, but the facilities were sealed1.
"The shutdown covered five operational buildings with 115 rooms, two residential buildings with 156 rooms, 40 container housing units, dining facilities, and a retail shop."
Rithy said that since the operation, no more suspected online scam sites have been identified within the province1. He also said two casino sites in Preah Vihear's border areas are inactive. One, owned by Try Pheap Group, sits near the An Ses international border checkpoint in Choam Ksant district but has not yet commenced operations, and has reportedly been illegally surrounded by Thai forces. The second is the Xiyuen Suvon site1.
The account was given at a meeting on the continued action plan backing the nationwide crackdown on cyber fraud, held the same day as inspections in Kandal province, where Arey Ksat City Governor Chan Dara led officials and security forces through residential and commercial properties. Authorities verified tenants' identities and checked that rental agreements were in order, particularly for properties housing foreigners1. In Pailin, which borders Thailand, authorities stepped up night-time traffic inspections and security checks focused on illegal foreign residents connected to online scam operations. Officials said the campaign aims to identify foreign nationals who have illegally entered the country, potentially to engage in criminal activities1.
| Site | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Xiyuen Suvon Company | Preah Vihear, near Laos border | Fully shut down; five operational buildings with 115 rooms, two residential buildings with 156 rooms, 40 container units, dining facilities and a retail shop sealed |
| Try Pheap Group | Near An Ses international border checkpoint, Choam Ksant district | Not yet commenced operations; reportedly illegally surrounded by Thai forces |
What it means for players
The Xiyuen Suvon site is described as a suspected online scam operation, not a licensed gambling floor open to the public, and no equipment was found when authorities moved in1. For anyone in Cambodia who gambles through online platforms, the practical point is that sites operating from sealed compounds of this kind sit outside the licensed market. How risk differs between licensed and unlicensed operators is set out in Licensed vs Unlicensed Online Casino: How Risk Differs, and the mechanics of fake platforms are covered in Fake and Rigged Online Casinos: How Scam Gambling Sites Work. Cambodia's own rules are summarized in Can I Gamble in Cambodia?, with the wider regional picture in Gambling Laws in Asia: What Is Legal in 12 Jurisdictions.
The province-level checks on foreign tenants and renters, and Pailin's night-time inspections of foreign residents, mean people working or staying near border areas may be asked to show identification and proof of their accommodation arrangements1. Job seekers should note that recruitment tied to these compounds is treated by authorities as linked to criminal activity; see Casino and Online Gambling Job Offers in Cambodia. Reporting routes and safety guidance are in Gambling Scams and Safety in Asia, and background on the regional enforcement pattern is in Crackdowns on Offshore Online Gambling Hubs in Asia.
What happens next
The Preah Vihear administration said it will continue its action plan supporting the nationwide crackdown, combining the "Safe Village, Commune" policy with measures to prevent and suppress online scams1. Measures include stricter monitoring of foreign residents, verification of accommodation arrangements, and enhanced coordination among law enforcement units1. No further dates have been reported.
Sources1 sources
- Provinces keep up scam crackdown past XXL campaign, khmertimeskh.com
