Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith told 50 foreign diplomats and international officials on Thursday that “large‑scale scam activities have been brought fully under control, and there are currently no online scam compounds remaining in the country,” according to a statement released on Friday.

The government framed the achievement as the “complete eradication of large‑scale online scam operations, strict legal actions against perpetrators, networks and involved officials, alongside the systematic establishment of a cybersecurity legal framework.” Yet it admitted that criminal groups have shifted to decentralized locations—guesthouses, condominiums, rental houses, vehicles and coffee shops—which authorities say they will continue to target.

These compounds, largely run by Chinese criminal syndicates, have proliferated across Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines and Myanmar‑Thai border areas since the pandemic. Reuters has not independently verified the eradication claim.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that if scam networks remain active, Cambodia’s international reputation and foreign investment prospects could suffer, underscoring the need for coordinated regional anti‑cybercrime measures.

"Cambodia’s true success will be measured by prosecuting the actors, not just closing facilities," said Amnesty International co‑regional director Montse Ferrer.

Amnesty International’s co‑regional director Montse Ferrer warned that the group is “highly skeptical of suggestions the scamming compound industry has been effectively eliminated,” adding that long‑term success hinges on thorough investigations and prosecutions.

Independent anti‑trafficking consultant Mark Taylor echoed the concern, stating that “the strong confidence placed in the Cambodian government’s assertion that all scamming operations have been eradicated is severely misplaced,” citing credible indicators of ongoing recruitment of foreign workers for scam work.

According to the senior minister, law enforcement investigated 793 suspected locations and raided 624 sites between July 2025 and August 20, 2026, detaining nearly 30,000 suspects representing 39 nationalities. Authorities rescued and deported 58,266 foreign nationals, while 3,477 suspects from 29 nationalities were arrested and jailed pending trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Has Cambodia truly eliminated all scam compounds?
A: No independent verification exists yet; many experts remain cautious.

Q2: What legal actions have been taken against scam operators?
A: Between 2025‑2026, 624 sites were raided, over 30,000 suspects detained, and thousands of foreign workers rescued or deported.