Cambodia Cracks Down on Nationwide Telecom Fraud
Cambodia has launched an intensified nationwide campaign to shut down telecom and online fraud networks, with authorities setting a target to dismantle major operations by the end of April. Senior officials say the effort is designed to stop the country from being used as a base for cross-border scam activity affecting victims across the region. The push has already triggered large-scale raids, thousands of arrests and a noticeable departure of foreign nationals, alongside expanded international cooperation.
Nationwide Raids Target Suspected Scam Sites
According to figures reported by Chinese-language outlet Cambodia China Times, enforcement activity has accelerated since the start of 2026. Authorities say they have examined 190 sites suspected of links to telecom fraud and detained 2,508 individuals connected to scam operations. Under mounting pressure, several fraud groups are believed to have ceased operations voluntarily.
During the same period, more than 110,000 foreign nationals reportedly left Cambodia. Officials partly attribute this outflow to the closure of suspected scam compounds and stricter immigration controls introduced in parallel with enforcement measures. Law enforcement agencies describe the strategy as a sustained high-intensity operation aimed at dismantling organized scam networks and preventing the country from serving as a regional fraud hub.
Direct Orders and Zero-Tolerance Policy
National Police Commissioner Sar Thet said police are acting under direct instructions from Prime Minister Hun Manet to eliminate telecom-related fraud. Speaking at a ministry review session, he stressed that enforcement bodies are expected to pursue networks aggressively and remove criminal structures in line with the law.
Hun Manet has publicly framed the crackdown as a zero-tolerance initiative, warning that any officials found to be assisting scam operations will face strict legal consequences. He has positioned telecom and internet fraud as a threat not only to public order but also to national security.
Cross-Border Support and Coordination
Cambodia’s actions have also drawn backing from international partners. On February 7, China’s ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wenbin, praised the government’s enforcement drive and expressed support for continued action against telecom fraud groups. Discussions with Cambodian interior officials highlighted the growing regional dimension of scam networks and the need for coordinated responses.
Interior Ministry representatives say inspections and enforcement operations are being carried out nationwide rather than limited to specific provinces, with the goal of identifying and closing all major fraud centers before the April deadline.
Focus on Network Leaders
The tougher approach follows a high-profile case earlier in the year involving alleged scam figure Chen Zhi, who was arrested in Cambodia and deported to China shortly afterward. Authorities described the move as part of a broader shift toward targeting senior organizers rather than only lower-level participants.
With thousands detained, numerous sites investigated and continued joint action with regional partners, Cambodian authorities say they intend to demonstrate lasting resolve in dismantling telecom fraud networks and preventing their return.
