Amnesty International has released a report claiming that members of Cambodia’s police and military forces provided security services at compounds engaged in large-scale online scamming operations. The investigation, based on interviews with 151 survivors and visits to 82 facilities, documented instances where uniformed personnel controlled compound exits, pursued individuals attempting escape, and used violence to enforce compliance.
The rights group identified five private security companies linked to the illicit operations, with Leap Somnang allegedly operating the largest network across at least 15 compounds in eight provinces. Amnesty stated that Ban Sophat, identified as the company chair and a colonel in Cambodia’s armed forces, appeared in photographs at scamming facilities, though he denied holding ownership or management roles and characterized his involvement as purely advisory.
Survivors documented severe abuse within the compounds, including electric shocks, beatings, and sexual violence. Amnesty identified over 20 military and police members with active presence at facilities. The compounds typically operated by coercing people—often lured with promises of legitimate employment—into conducting online fraud schemes such as romance scams targeting victims internationally. Annual losses from these operations have been estimated at approximately $100 billion.
Cambodia initiated a major enforcement operation in July 2025, with authorities reporting closure of hundreds of scam centers. The government responded to Amnesty’s findings by stating it had disciplined 77 police officers, prosecuted six private security personnel for illegal stun baton use, and detained 17 military, police, and civil officials for criminal collusion. Authorities indicated 3,477 suspects had been referred to courts.
Amnesty stated the enforcement actions were insufficient without comprehensive accountability for those who managed and protected the system. The organization noted that while scamming operations appeared dormant, the underlying infrastructure enabling abuse remained in place.
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