Synopsis: Officials reveal that internet fraud syndicates are fragmenting into mobile, decentralised units after a sweeping September clampdown across seven jurisdictions.
The crackdown on technology-based fraud has achieved results, with authorities claiming to have dismantled large-scale scam compounds.
In a review of September anti-online scam operations, officials assessed that Cambodia no longer hosts large-scale organised online scam networks. However, remaining criminal groups have shifted operations into smaller, more mobile units to escape detection.
The review, chaired by Interior Minister Sar Sokha, took place on Monday in Phnom Penh.
According to a report compiled by the National Police General Commissariat, the national crackdown has crippled large-scale internet scam operations, making it difficult for criminal groups to reorganise into extensive networks.
Speaking at the meeting, Sokha said that despite the positive results, the country has not reached the goal of completely eliminating online scams.
He noted that criminal groups have changed strategies by operating in smaller units, allowing them to disguise identities, frequently change accommodation, and evade law enforcement surveillance. They have increased the use of technology and private premises to conceal their activities, he added.
According to the National Police General Commissariat, authorities raided 60 technology-based scam locations across seven capital and provincial jurisdictions in September: Preah Sihanouk, Phnom Penh, Svay Rieng, Banteay Meanchey, Kandal, Pursat, and Battambang.
During operations, authorities detained 837 suspects of 15 nationalities, including Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, Bangladeshi, Cambodian, Japanese, South Korean, Indian, Myanmar, Pakistani, Malaysian, Nepalese, Filipino, and Lao nationals.
Authorities prepared case files against 11 individuals for submission to courts and deported 2,187 foreign nationals who violated the law, including 260 women, representing 50 nationalities.
Owners and managers of raided premises were collectively fined 759.36 million riel.
Separately, during the first 10 days of October, authorities raided 12 locations in Preah Sihanouk, Banteay Meanchey, Svay Rieng, Tboung Khmum, and Phnom Penh.
Operations resulted in the detention of 843 suspects, of whom 18 were referred to courts. Property owners were collectively fined 284 million riel.
Sokha instructed officials to maintain strict preventive measures and ensure that online scam activities do not re-emerge at locations that have already been raided.
He called for proper management of foreign nationals’ presence in Cambodia and continued monitoring of casinos, condominiums and hotels to prevent illegal online gambling activities.
He urged authorities to modernise technological capabilities by developing an advanced application for reporting technology-based fraud, while ensuring confidentiality and protection for individuals who provide information.
Sokha added that effective implementation of the 11-point Phnom Penh Declaration adopted at the International Conference on Combating Technology-Based Fraud remains important for sustaining efforts to combat online scams.
