Kandal provincial governor Kouch Chamroeun has called on members of the public to report locations suspected of running online scam operations. The appeal comes as he faces allegations linking him to such activities.
In a message posted on Facebook on Monday, Kouch Chamroeun encouraged citizens to inform authorities or contact him directly if they know of places where online scams may be taking place.
“Khmer people love Khmer people, support Khmer people and help Khmer people,” he wrote, urging residents to alert officials immediately if they see groups of foreign nationals gathering in locations suspected of operating online scams.
Kouch Chamroeun also asked the public to provide information through a dedicated hotline, 031 374 98 34, promising that the identities of those reporting would remain confidential. He said Cambodians must work together to eliminate online scam operations from the country.
The issue has drawn further attention following accusations made by former tycoon Heng Sithy, who was detained by the government after publicly revealing alleged links between senior officials and online scam networks.
In late 2024, Heng Sithy called on Cambodia’s prime minister Hun Manet to open an investigation into Kouch Chamroeun. He alleged that the governor had been deeply involved in corruption and illegal activities while serving as governor of Preah Sihanouk province.
According to Heng Sithy, hundreds of millions of US dollars were transferred to Kouch Chamroeun through cryptocurrencies, including USDT, USDC, and Bitcoin.
Heng Sithy also claimed that several senior figures were connected to criminal groups running illegal online gambling and human trafficking operations in Cambodia. Those he named included interior minister Sar Sokha, national police chief Sar Thet, Phnom Penh police commissioner Choun Narin, justice minister Koeut Rith, as well as several immigration officials.
He further alleged that Hun To, a cousin of Hun Manet, was also involved in online scam operations and in protecting criminal networks operating in Cambodia.
The controversy comes amid growing international scrutiny. In late 2025, members of the United States Congress introduced draft legislation known as H.R. 5490, which aims to place Cambodia on a blacklist and impose sanctions on several senior Cambodian officials, business figures, and companies alleged to be connected to online scam networks.
The proposed measures mention several prominent figures, including deputy prime minister Dy Vichea, Kandal governor Kouch Chamroeun, and interior minister Sar Sokha.
The draft also names several business figures and individuals, including Chinese Cambodian adviser Chen Zhi, businessperson Yim Leakhna, Hun To, Kok An, and alleged crime boss Yan Narong, along with more than 30 others, many of whom are reported to be Chinese nationals.
Despite the allegations, Cambodia’s interior ministry announced in early February 2026 that it would launch a nationwide campaign to eliminate online crime by April 2026. Officials say the operation is intended to dismantle scam networks that have been operating under the cover of various businesses across the country.
