In an unprecedented “zero-tolerance” offensive, the Royal Government of Cambodia has significantly ramped up its crackdown on transnational online fraud syndicates. According to a report from the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS) released on February 5, 2026, authorities have neutralized nearly 200 criminal operations in just over 30 days.
Massive Sweep Across 8 Provinces
From January 1 to early February 2026, Cambodian law enforcement agencies executed raids at 190 high-risk locations. The operation specifically targeted the industry’s hubs, including 44 casinos across a wide geographic range:
- Coastal & Border Zones: Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, and Svay Rieng.
- Central Hubs: Phnom Penh and Kandal.
- Remote Frontiers: Pursat, Prey Veng, and Mondulkiri.
The sweep resulted in the detention of 2,508 suspects from seven nations, including Nepal, China, Malaysia, Laos, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This demonstrates the increasingly diverse and international nature of the syndicates operating within the region.
The Great Exodus: 110,000 Foreigners Depart
The intensity of the crackdown has triggered a massive voluntary departure of foreign nationals. The CCOS reported that 110,095 individuals—primarily from China, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan—left Cambodia between January and early February 2026.
This exodus suggests that the government’s aggressive stance is successfully dismantling the “safe haven” environment that previously attracted these illicit entities.
International Cooperation and Legal Weight
The CCOS attributed these successes to a new level of intelligence sharing and operational synergy with global partners, including China, the United States, and South Korea. This collaborative approach has yielded high-impact legal results over the past eight months:
- 37 major cases successfully prosecuted.
- 172 ringleaders and key accomplices convicted.
- 9,314 foreign nationals deported for their involvement in illegal activities.
Restoring National Reputation and Investor Trust
For foreign investors and the international business community, this sustained momentum is a vital signal of Cambodia’s commitment to the rule of law. By cleansing the business environment of “call center” gangs and human trafficking hubs, the government is:
- Protecting the FinTech Sector: Reducing the risk of financial fraud and money laundering.
- Securing Digital Infrastructure: Ensuring the Kingdom’s internet and telecommunications networks are used for legitimate commerce.
- Enhancing Human Rights: Eliminating the forced labor and trafficking rings that often fuel these scam operations.
FAQ: The 2026 Online Scam Crackdown
The CCOS targets specific buildings or compounds suspected of hosting fraud operations. While 44 casinos were inspected, the focus remains on illicit activities hidden within these complexes rather than the legal gaming industry itself.
Cooperation involves the sharing of data on “money mule” accounts, tracking digital footprints of scam websites, and coordinating the extradition of high-level ringleaders to face justice in their home countries.
The Ministry of Interior has established dedicated hotlines and digital reporting tools. Legal foreign workers are encouraged to report suspicious activity anonymously to the CCOS or their respective embassies.