Cambodia reviews progress in fight against online scams

1- Prime Minister Hun Manet spearheads the Commission for Combatting Online Scams. PMO

#National

Synopsis: Senior officials and provincial leaders pledge to intensify law enforcement, inspections and international cooperation to eliminate cyber fraud networks operating in Cambodia.

Cambodia is keeping up its campaign to eradicate online scam networks on its soil, with the Prime Minister yesterday leading a meeting of the special commission to end the scourge while local leaders, particularly in border provinces, pledged to intensify crackdowns on technology-related crimes.

Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun, Minister of Interior Sar Sokha, Minister of Justice Koeut Rith, and Minister of Post and Telecommunication Chea Vandeth and other senior officials yesterday attended the Commission for Combatting Online Scams (CCOS) meeting at the Council of Ministers. Local governors and the police chief were also present at the meeting.

According to a statement by Mr Hun Manet, the purpose of the gathering is to “review progress in the implementation of its work and to set further directions for eradicating technology-based scam operations.”

The government did not provide further details.

CCOS is tasked with implementing measures to prevent, suppress, and crack down on online scams. Operating on a separate financial budget and as a branch of the Council of Ministers, it provides guidance, coordination, and support to enhance the efficiency of ministries, institutions, and law enforcement agencies.

The commission monitors, inspects, and evaluates the efforts of government bodies in combatting cyber fraud and cooperates with international partners to address transnational online crime.

The government has made it clear that the eradication of online scams, which have damaged the Kingdom’s reputation, is on the top of its agenda. The endeavour has resulted in multiple initiatives, including the establishment of the CCOS and its secretariat and, more recently, a sub-decree aimed at restricting foreign residents in collective residential areas.

Local leaders have recently stepped up to intensify the fight against cyber fraud.

On Sunday, Pailin provincial authorities convened an emergency meeting with local business operators to strengthen cooperation in cracking down on online scam operations and illegal foreign residents within the province. Led by Governor Ban Sreymom, the meeting gathered owners of casinos, hotels, guesthouses and rental properties in the province.

During the meeting, Sreymom instructed all business operators to fully cooperate with relevant agencies and refrain from concealing foreign nationals residing illegally in their premises. She also emphasised strict implementation of the Royal Government’s directives to ensure maximum effectiveness in suppressing online scam crimes.

In Svay Rieng, the provincial administration on Monday issued a stern notice warning that strict legal action will be taken against any premises owner found to be concealing or connected to online scam operations in the province.

The notice was addressed to casino, hotel and guesthouse owners, as well as landlords and property owners, urging them to fully cooperate with authorities in cracking down on so-called online scams—the eradication of which has become a top priority of the government.

Any business or location found to be harbouring, facilitating, or knowingly associated with online scam groups will face legal action without exception.

The notice outlined key measures to be implemented immediately.

“First, all businesses are required to actively disseminate information and promptly report to authorities any suspicious activities or individuals suspected of involvement in online scam operations,” the statement read.

“Second, accommodation providers are strictly prohibited from allowing foreign nationals or individuals suspected of involvement in online scams to reside at their premises.”

Property owners must to immediately terminate rental or accommodation agreements if it is discovered that their premises are used by online scam groups.

“That owners who conceal information, provide false reports, or deliberately mislead authorities to protect scam groups will be subject to strict legal action without leniency,” the notice stressed.

The anti-online scam message was highlighted yesterday by Major General Heng Sophal, the Kampong Thom Provincial Police Chief, at a monthly review attended by 250 officers.

Maj Gen Sophal said that future operations must strictly align with the Ministry of Interior’s “Safe Village-Commune-Sangkat” policy.

To improve public service, the Commissioner ordered a streamlined process for issuing national identity cards and residency documents. He said the goal is to evaluate past performance and set clear directions to improve future implementation for the public’s benefit.

The government has made it clear that the eradication of online scams, which in the past several years have inflicted damage on the Kingdom’s reputation, tops its agenda. The endeavour resulted in multiple initiatives, including the establishment of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), a high-level task force led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, and a sub-decree aimed at restricting foreign residents in residential areas.

Recent years have seen numerous crackdowns on online scam syndicates across the country, resulting in the arrests and deportation of thousands of suspects, including Chen Zhi, the founder of Prince Group Holding and alleged kingpin of a massive scamming and money-laundering operation.

Phnom Penh Municipality last week unveiled a plan ordering systematic combing of condominiums and densely populated areas suspected of hosting illicit activities.

Under the new plan, authorities will conduct large-scale operations in every district, focusing on areas with high population density and locations deemed suspicious. Condominiums and residential clusters will be subject to inspection.

“This forward plan involves large-scale implementation with clear location mapping from one district to another, especially in areas where many people live and where there is suspicion. Every condominium and concentrated residential area must be inspected,” Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng said.

Cambodia recently deported 399 Vietnamese through the Prek Chak International Border Gate in Kampot, according to the General Department of Immigration (GDI).

The group, which included 55 women, was detained by the Investigation and Enforcement Department of the GDI in coordination with police officers stationed at the mentioned border gate.

Authorities reported that these individuals were residing and working illegally in Cambodia and were unable to present valid passports.

The deportations took place over two days, January 17 and 18, led by Minister of Interior Sar Sokha and Immigration Director-General Sok Veasna.

According to the GDI, more than 13,000 foreigners from 66 countries were deported in 2025. Chinese nationals accounted for the largest group, followed by Vietnamese and Indonesian.

On Tuesday, Chinese Ambassador Wang Wenbin reassured Chhay Sinarith, Senior Minister in charge of Special Missions and Head of the Secretariat of CCOS, that China is fully committed to supporting Cambodia in its efforts to dismantle sophisticated technology-driven scam operations and eliminate cybercrime networks.

Ambassador Wang thanked Cambodian authorities for their cooperation in arresting and extraditing Chinese masterminds and their accomplices to face prosecution in China.

In response, Sinarith lauded the robust security partnership between the two nations, noting that joint operations against cross-border technology crimes have already yielded significant results.

He stressed that Cambodia uphold a “firm and specific” stance on eradicating criminal hubs and prosecuting ringleaders.

-khmer Times-