The Ministry of Interior has rejected claims that interior minister Sar Sokha has any connections to the Jin Bei casino in Sihanoukville, labelling the allegations as “false information” which is clearly aimed at damaging his reputation.
In an October 20 statement, the ministry addressed recent published claims that the minister has business ties with the casino, which is currently facing US sanctions for its alleged involvement in scam operations, money laundering and human trafficking.
“Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior, has no involvement and holds no shares in the Jin Bei casino business, contrary to the allegations made in the report.” Said the statement.
The ministry emphasised that Sokha has been diligently and tirelessly working to coordinate and lead sub-national administrations and maintain public security and order. His efforts are focused on preventing and suppressing all types of crime, including technology-related offenses, all forms of human and drug trafficking, with positive results that have contributed to the Kingdom’s development across all sectors.
“The Ministry of Interior completely rejects the dissemination of this false information and the accusations linking His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, to the aforementioned issue,” it said.
“This act severely affects the honour of the national institution and the dignity of the individual, especially negatively impacting the efforts and achievements that Sokha has led and accomplished in the cause of serving the nation and the people of Cambodia,” it added.
Sokha’s name has been mentioned in foreign media reporting concerning online scam cases linked to the Jin Bei casino in Preah Sihanouk province, a company that the US Treasury Department has accused of being involved in online scams and human trafficking.
Highlighting the achievements of the ministry and other relevant authorities, the statement noted that in the first nine months of 2025, under the leadership of Sokha, authorities have taken action in 48 cases involving online scam operations. These activities resulted in the arrest and referral of 168 individuals to court and the deportation of 2,722 foreigners.
In addition to these offenses, authorities have also suppressed 147 cases of human trafficking, arresting 205 individuals and rescuing 483 victims. Furthermore, law enforcement has cracked down on nearly 7,000 drug-related offenses, arresting over 17,000 individuals and seizing more than 7 tonnes of various narcotics and 48 tonnes of precursor chemicals.
“Based on these accomplishments, and in the spirit of continuing to improve the security environment, Sokha continues to lead the ministry and fulfil the core task of strengthening law enforcement to ensure public order. At the same time, we will continue to strengthen cooperation with all relevant national and international stakeholders,” the statement concluded.
