Cambodia's Ad Hoc Commission for Combating Technology Crimes (ACT) said authorities inspected 793 locations and took direct action against 624 of them during operations from July 2025 through August 20, 2026, and that no major online scam centers remain in the country1. Chhay Sinarith, a minister attached to the prime minister and chairman of the ACT Secretariat, gave the figures at a briefing for nearly 50 foreign diplomatic staff and international organizations in Phnom Penh on August 27, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation1.
Sinarith said nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 nationalities had been detained, and that evidence was seized from another 169 suspected crime sites abandoned by suspects who fled1. Authorities repatriated 58,266 foreign nationals, including 7,282 women, of whom 22,045 people from 38 nationalities were identified as directly linked to online scam activities1. Cases sent to court number 408, while 3,477 suspects from 29 nationalities have been arrested and temporarily detained in prisons, and 855 more are wanted under court-issued warrants1. The detained include nationals of China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Nepal, Yemen, Switzerland, South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Australia, Ukraine, France, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand, among others1.
The Anti-Corruption Unit took action in four major cases, arresting 15 suspects who were senior officials and law enforcement personnel, including deputy prosecutors, a deputy director-general of the Immigration Department, a deputy Phnom Penh police commissioner, a former director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and police and military officials1. The Commercial Gambling Management Commission revoked the licenses of 18 casinos and suspended the licenses of another nine, and inspections and legal action against casinos involved in online gambling and betting, including online sports betting, are continuing1.
"Major scam centers have been completely cleared, while strict legal measures have been taken against criminal suspects and officials involved."
Sinarith said criminal networks have shifted into smaller, more concealed locations, including guesthouses, condominiums, rented houses, vehicles and coffee shops, and that authorities are continuing to investigate such operations1. He said Cambodia is accelerating additional legislation, including a draft Cybersecurity Law, a draft Information Technology Offences Law and regulations governing virtual assets1.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Locations inspected | 793 |
| Locations acted against | 624 |
| Suspects detained | Nearly 30,000, from 39 nationalities |
| Foreign nationals repatriated | 58,266, including 7,282 women |
| Cases sent to court | 408 |
| Suspects held in prisons | 3,477, from 29 nationalities |
| Suspects wanted on warrants | 855 |
| Casino licenses revoked | 18 |
| Casino licenses suspended | 9 |
What it means for players
The figures cover scam operations rather than licensed gambling, but the two overlap in Cambodia: the briefing states that inspections and legal action against casinos involved in online gambling and betting, including online sports betting, are continuing, and that 18 casino licenses were revoked and nine suspended1. For anyone gambling in Cambodia, that means some venues and operators named in licensing records may no longer hold a valid license, and the status of individual casinos is not listed in the briefing. The briefing also says scam networks have moved into smaller premises such as guesthouses, condominiums, rented houses, vehicles and coffee shops, which is where recruitment and fraudulent online operations have been reported1. Details of which casinos lost or kept licenses, and how players can check a license, have not been reported.
What happens next
Cambodia will host an International Conference on Combating Technology-Based Fraud on September 23-24, themed "Together Towards Breaking the Chain and Ending Technology-Based Fraud," bringing together government representatives, international organizations, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, technology companies and research institutions1. Sinarith said Cambodia remains open to international cooperation to prevent online scam crimes from returning1. The draft Cybersecurity Law, draft Information Technology Offences Law and virtual asset regulations are in development, with no dates given1.
For background on how scam compounds and fake gambling sites operate, see Gambling Scams and Safety in Asia and Fake Casino Sites and Gambling Scams in Cambodia. For licensing and access questions, see Can I Gamble in Cambodia?, Online Poker Sites That Accept Players in Cambodia and Deposits and Withdrawals at Betting Sites from Cambodia.
