Phnom Penh:Cambodia has reported significant progress in its nationwide campaign against online scams, with more than 5,000 suspects indicted and over 23,700 foreign nationals repatriated between July 1, 2025, and October 31, 2026.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the results were presented by Senior Minister in Charge of Special Missions and Standing Vice-Chairman of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), H.E. Chhay Sinarith, during a diplomatic briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Phnom Penh on November 6. The session was attended in person by 46 members of the foreign diplomatic corps and representatives of international organizations accredited to Cambodia, while 18 representatives of Cambodian diplomatic missions abroad joined virtually.
The briefing was coordinated by H.E. Mrs. Eat Sophea, Standing Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, with the participation of ministry leaders and senior officials from the CCOS Secretariat. During the session, Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith reaffirmed the Royal Government’s commitment to combating online scams, outlining three key strategic priorities.
The first priority involves the active implementation of the Phnom Penh Declaration, aiming to strengthen international cooperation against online scams. Cambodia acknowledged information concerning U.S. sanctions against individuals and entities associated with the Prince Group network and said it was conducting in-depth investigations while working closely with international law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and INTERPOL, to dismantle transnational criminal networks.
The second priority focuses on eradicating human trafficking and protecting victims. Efforts are underway to identify foreign nationals deceived and lured by criminal syndicates, ensure their protection, and facilitate their repatriation in accordance with legal procedures and international humanitarian standards. However, the Senior Minister clarified that individuals who voluntarily participate in scam operations for financial gain or continue engaging in illegal activities will face legal consequences.
The third priority is to take stringent legal action against criminal ringleaders and dismantle money-laundering channels. Authorities are using digital evidence obtained from electronic devices and technological systems to prosecute and convict those responsible, rather than relying solely on victim complaints. Investigations are also targeting financial networks, concealed assets, cryptocurrency transactions, and casinos operating online gambling activities illegally under false pretenses. Over the past year, authorities revoked 18 casino licenses linked to the Prince Group network under Chen Zhi and Li Kuong and suspended another 10 licenses.
Regarding the nationwide crackdown, authorities took action against 972 targeted locations and prepared case files for court proceedings in 568 cases during the reporting period. A total of 5,032 suspects were indicted and placed in pre-trial detention pending judicial proceedings, while 23,760 foreign nationals of 38 nationalities were repatriated to their countries of origin.
In addition, more than US$300 million held in bank accounts, along with movable and immovable assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars, have been frozen and are subject to legal confiscation procedures in accordance with applicable laws.
At the conclusion of the briefing, Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith expressed his profound appreciation to international partners for their cooperation and called on partner countries, international organizations, and national and international media outlets to continue providing actionable information, leads, and concrete evidence to Cambodian authorities to support joint efforts to eliminate transnational criminal networks operating in Cambodia.