Twenty-eight suspects, including six women, were arrested following a raid on 1/12 by the Joint Command Committee of Phnom Penh authorities. The operation targeted a suspected online scam center located within a villa in Khan Chbar Ampov district, following intelligence reports.

Investigators seized a significant amount of operational equipment from the facility. This included 39 computer monitors, 11 CPUs, about 100 mobile phones, and numerous SIM cards. The arrested individuals are suspected members of a network specializing in defrauding foreign victims through fake online dating schemes and subsequent blackmail.

All suspects were transported to the city police headquarters for questioning and legal processing. Forensic teams are currently analyzing the seized devices to identify the ringleaders of the operation and potential overseas connections.

Cambodian officials during the raid on the scam center in Khan Chbar Ampov district on 1/12. Photo: AKP

Cambodian officials during the raid on the scam center in Khan Chbar Ampov district on 1/12. Photo: AKP

"This arrest demonstrates our resolve," a senior official from the Joint Command Committee stated. "We have a zero-tolerance policy for cybercrime and will apply the strictest legal measures against those involved in these schemes, without exception."

The raid marks the latest effort in Cambodia's ongoing crackdown on organized cybercrime networks, which are a pervasive issue across Southeast Asia. Cambodia is enhancing cross-border cooperation and intensifying domestic sweeps to curb this situation.

These criminal networks frequently exploit foreign nationals, often victims of human trafficking or forced labor, to carry out their online scam operations.

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

By Pham Giang (Source: Khmer Times)