Cambodian authorities say they have intensified the fight against online scams, with the secretariat in charge releasing updated figures from their current 60-day campaign.
Between June 27 and August 18, a total of 3,170 suspects of 19 separate nationalities were detained.
The detentions were part of a series of operations which targeted 72 locations across 17 provinces and the capital.
The raids were carried out by a joint task force, working under the Commission for Combating Online Scams.
The joint force sent 66 suspected “ringleaders” and their accomplices to court for legal proceedings. More than 2,450 foreign nationals implicated in online scams were deported, signalling Cambodia’s zero-tolerance stance on cybercrime.
A recent notable operation in Kampot province marked a significant milestone, with authorities apprehending 14 ringleaders who were linked to crimes as serious as murder and human trafficking.
This campaign, the largest in recent months, not only disrupted criminal networks but also led to the rescue of numerous victims of human trafficking and the dismantling of several trafficking hubs. The commission described it as underscoring Cambodia’s multifaceted approach to tackling interconnected crimes.
“Over the past three years, Cambodia’s relentless efforts have yielded impressive results, with approximately 24,000 cases of online scams and related crimes suppressed. Through these, 23,990 foreign nationals were deported, and around 4,800 victims from 27 nationalities were rescued from trafficking and scam operations,” said a commission press release.
The establishment of the commission was seen as pivotal, as it is driving coordinated efforts across ministries, institutions and law enforcement agencies to investigate, suppress and eradicate cybercrime.
The release noted that international cooperation has played a critical role in these efforts, aligning Cambodia with global initiatives to combat the rising tide of technology-based fraud.
It reiterated that authorities have vowed to enforce the strictest legal measures against ringleaders, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to public security and societal safety.
