Cambodia’s government announced that large-scale scam compounds operating within the country have been completely eradicated, according to remarks made to foreign diplomats and international officials. Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, who directs the government’s Commission for Combating Online Scams, stated that no such operations remain and that efforts have included strict enforcement against perpetrators and the development of a comprehensive cybersecurity legal framework.
However, authorities acknowledged that criminal organizations have adapted their operations by moving to smaller, decentralized locations including guesthouses, rental properties, condominiums, and mobile venues. The government indicated it would continue enforcement operations targeting these dispersed activities.
International observers have cast doubt on the completeness of the claim. Amnesty International expressed skepticism about the assertion that the scamming industry has been effectively dismantled, arguing that success should be measured not merely by facility closures but by whether perpetrators are prosecuted and prevented from resuming activities. An independent anti-trafficking consultant similarly questioned the government’s confidence in the eradication claim, citing credible reports that significant operations continue and that recruitment of foreign workers into Cambodia for scamming purposes persists.
During the period between July 2025 and August 20, 2026, law enforcement reported investigating 793 suspected locations and conducting 624 raids, resulting in nearly 30,000 detained suspects from 39 countries. Authorities also reported deporting 58,266 foreign nationals and arresting 3,477 suspects from 29 nationalities pending trial. News agencies noted they have not independently verified the government’s eradication claims.
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