A senior Cambodian official has informed foreign diplomats of Cambodia’s “absolute commitment” to sweeping away and eventually eliminating online scams, a type of transnational crime, from the country.
Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, chairman of the Secretariat of Commission for Combating Technology Crimes (CCTC), presented an update on the current campaign against technology-related crimes to 26 ambassadors and diplomatic representatives in Cambodia, as well as EU representatives, on February 18.
He explained that the previous implementation of the fight against scam operations has been further intensified under the seventh mandate of the Royal Government, particularly through the establishment of the CBCHB, a national mechanism directly led by Prime Minister Hun Manet.
He noted that from June 2025 to early 2026, Cambodian authorities suppressed 200 cases of online scams involving a total of approximately 2,500 locations. Officials seized a slew of evidence, including 10,444 computers and 36,476 smartphones, as well as other material.
Sinarith added that in implementing these measures, Cambodian authorities carried out deportation procedures for over 8,000 foreigners, shuttered 200 locations, including casinos, and dismantled multiple online crime syndicates. Several key masterminds have fled, although authorities are actively working to apprehend them.
“Approximately 210,000 foreigners have voluntarily departed for their home countries,” he claimed.
“Cambodian authorities have also cooperated with partner nations to rescue many foreigners who were victims, lured by the people behind these transnational operations. They have now been freed from being exploited and being made to carry out online scam activities to serve the interests of criminal networks,” he added.
According to the Ministry of Justice, in the past eight months, Cambodian courts have implemented legal procedures in many cases related to online scams. They have convicted more than 500 ringleaders and their accomplices, including cases involving Chen Zhi and disgraced Oknha Li Kuong, as well as other senior foreign members of criminal organisations.
Cambodia is working closely with relevant partners, it added including the US, China, South Korea, the Philippines, Interpol, UNODC and the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation, all of whom have participated in efforts to combat technology-related scams in the past, within the framework of Cambodia eradication campaign.
Sinarith urged all partners to continue cooperating with the Royal Government by providing support for strengthening capabilities in combating transnational crime, as well as providing materials, technical assistance and forensic analysis to make law enforcement even more effective.
