On 11/12, Cambodian media reported that police had conducted simultaneous raids two days earlier, targeting online scam operations at two locations. These operations resulted in the arrest of 125 suspects and the rescue of two victims.

The primary operation took place at Amarak farm in Koh Krabey 1 village, Chbar Ampov district, Phnom Penh. Investigations had identified this farm as a hub for online scam activities, leading to the arrest of 75 Thai nationals.

Thai nationals (top photo) during the raid on the Phnom Penh farm, and suspects arrested in Sihanoukville (bottom photo), 9/12. *Khmer Times*

Cambodian authorities seized numerous laptops and mobile phones, then transferred the suspects and evidence to the National Police General Department for legal proceedings. The farm was sealed off, with officials continuing their investigation to identify and prosecute the operation's masterminds.

On the same day, Cambodian forces collaborated with Korean investigators in Preah Sihanouk province. A search in village 4, Buon commune, resulted in the arrest of 50 suspects. Authorities seized 63 computers, 60 mobile phones, and 60 iPads, while also rescuing two Korean nationals.

These raids represent the latest effort in Cambodia's intensified crackdown on cybercrime rings, a pervasive issue across Southeast Asia. The nation is bolstering cross-border cooperation and domestic enforcement to curb this problem.

These networks often exploit foreign nationals, who are either victims of human trafficking or forced labor, to carry out online scam activities.

The United Nations warned in April that Chinese and Southeast Asian criminal gangs are generating tens of billions USD annually from online scam centers. The agency estimates that hundreds of thousands of people are working in such facilities globally.

Hong Hanh (*Khmer Times*)