Key facts
- Cambodia claims to have eradicated all large-scale online scam compounds.
- Over 793 suspected scam locations were inspected nationwide.
- 624 scam sites were shut down, and nearly 30,000 suspects were detained.
- Authorities have deported over 58,000 foreign nationals, with 22,000 linked to scam operations.
- 3,477 suspects are in pre-trial detention following court proceedings.
- 15 officials and law enforcement officers were arrested for corruption.
Cambodia has declared the complete eradication of large-scale online scam compounds within its borders, according to officials who briefed foreign diplomats on August 27, 2026. The government stated that over a year-long campaign, authorities inspected 793 suspected locations, shut down 624, and detained nearly 30,000 individuals from 39 nationalities. Senior Minister H.E. Chhay Sinarith, head of the Ad-Hoc Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), reported that 58,266 foreign nationals were deported, with 22,045 directly involved in scam operations. Additionally, 408 cases were forwarded to the courts, resulting in the pre-trial detention of 3,477 suspects. The Anti-Corruption Unit also arrested 15 officials and law enforcement officers for corruption.
Despite these claims, Cambodian authorities acknowledge that criminal groups are adapting by shifting to decentralized, small-scale activities hidden in various private locations. The government plans to host an International Conference in September 2026 to seek global cooperation in combating online scams. Rights groups and analysts have previously expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness and completeness of such crackdowns.