Cambodia will investigate private security companies suspected of involvement in illegal activities linked to online scam compounds, including alleged collusion in the unlawful confinement and torture of people, following allegations raised in a recent Amnesty International report, a senior minister said.
Senior Minister in Charge of Special Missions Chhay Sinarith, head of the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), said authorities would examine evidence and investigate any suspected involvement by private security companies or officials in criminal activities.
In an interview with RFI Khmer broadcast on Friday, Sinarith said the government would not disregard allegations involving security companies and individuals suspected of protecting scam operations.
“Following the recent report by Amnesty International, we will conduct further investigations into private security companies if they are suspected of involvement in illegal activities or collusion in the confinement or torture of people,” he said.
Amnesty International published a report on October 29 identifying five private security companies allegedly linked to scam compounds in several locations, including Preah Sihanouk province, the Bokor area, Thma Sar and Bavet city.
The organisation also reported finding evidence linking more than 20 military and police officials to security companies and nearly 22 scam compounds.
Asked whether the allegations were surprising, Sinarith said the government welcomed information and evidence that could help authorities identify suspected criminal activities.
“I think we accept the information that has been presented because the Cambodian Royal Government has already demonstrated its political will. Whenever evidence is presented or suspicions are raised about a location, we must conduct an investigation,” he said.
He confirmed that Amnesty International’s findings would be used as a basis for further investigations.
Asked what action would be taken if officials were found to have been involved, Chhay said, “We must take legal action.”
He said previous enforcement operations had focused on arresting the masterminds behind scam networks, adding that once the key figures were apprehended, the networks providing protection for them often collapsed and those involved in providing protection went into hiding.
Sinarith also emphasised the importance of examining possible links between private security arrangements and criminal operations, particularly where security personnel could have helped protect scam compounds or alert operators to impending police raids.
He said Cambodia had shut down 86 scam compounds and placed them under government control, while investigations were continuing into possible organised crime, unlawful confinement, torture, the recruitment of victims and money laundering.
The senior minister stressed that investigations must be based on evidence and that anyone found to have committed an offence would face legal consequences.
He said the complexity of investigating transnational criminal networks meant authorities needed to identify the actual perpetrators and establish sufficient evidence before bringing charges.
The government has pledged to eliminate online scam operations and strengthen enforcement against the criminal networks and individuals responsible for operating or protecting them.
The International Conference on Combating Online Scams (ICCOS-2026) concluded in Phnom Penh on September 24 with the adoption of the Phnom Penh Declaration, an 11-point roadmap focused on dismantling scam infrastructure, recovering criminal proceeds, protecting victims and applying the non-punishment principle to trafficking victims who were coerced into criminal activities.
- Tags: Cambodia, online scams
