Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television reported on July 23 that, in response to Prime Minister Hun Manet’s directive to “completely eradicate online fraud,” Cambodia launched a large-scale special law-enforcement operation nationwide in late June 2025. According to a progress report released by the National Commission for Combating Online Fraud on July 22, a total of 3,075 suspects had been arrested nationwide, 138 fraud operation sites had been dismantled, and the suspects came from more than 20 nationalities, principally China and Vietnam.
I. 138 operation sites dismantled; 153 Vietnamese victims rescued
The 26-day special operation brought together law-enforcement forces from 17 key provinces and cities for exhaustive inspections of areas where telecom fraud was concentrated. A total of 138 online-fraud operation sites were dismantled, and 153 Vietnamese victims who were being illegally detained at one site in Pursat province were rescued, including 18 women.
Police said most of the sites were located in rented villa developments, factories and office buildings. They were equipped with security systems and high-frequency telecommunications equipment, had complex layouts, and were difficult to investigate and enforce action against.
II. 3,075 suspects arrested; disclosed major-nationality counts are as follows:
Cambodia’s official news agency, AKP, reported on July 23 that the operation resulted in the arrest of 3,075 suspects, including 606 women. The major-nationality counts disclosed in the report are as follows:
Chinese nationals: 1,028 (89 women)
Vietnamese nationals: 693 (190 women)
Indonesian nationals: 366 (70 women)
Indian nationals: 105 (9 women)
Bangladeshi nationals: 101 (27 women)
Thai nationals: 82 (13 women)
South Korean nationals: 57 (2 women)
Pakistani nationals: 81 (3 women)
Nepalese nationals: 13
Malaysian nationals: 4
The suspects also included persons from the Philippines, Laos, Russia, Nigeria, Uganda, Mongolia, Myanmar and other countries; the report did not provide an aggregate count for these countries.
These individuals were suspected of participating in multiple unlawful activities, including online fraud, illegal trafficking of people, drug processing and communications-related offenses.
III. Abundant physical evidence, including counterfeit police uniforms and drug-processing equipment
Police recovered large quantities of electronic equipment, drugs and drug products, packaging tools and weighing equipment from sites across the country, as well as counterfeit Chinese police uniforms and various types of firearms and ammunition, indicating that the criminal groups were well organized and operated across a wide range of areas.
All sites connected with the cases have been sealed off in accordance with the law, and law-enforcement authorities have expressly prohibited unauthorized personnel from entering them.
IV. Some suspects face prosecution or deportation proceedings as accountability efforts continue
In case proceedings, Phnom Penh has referred 11 suspects identified as “organizing leaders” to the court, of whom eight have been remanded. Preah Sihanouk authorities have also transferred 17 Chinese suspects, including two women, to the General Department of Immigration and begun deportation procedures. Other suspects are being handled with the cooperation of local authorities and are awaiting further judicial review.
At the same time, some recovered physical evidence has been transferred to the courts in accordance with the law, while the remainder is being held temporarily by local law-enforcement agencies to assist with subsequent investigation and evidence collection.
Cambodian government: resolute in combating online crime
The National Commission for Combating Online Fraud said that combating cross-border telecom fraud has become an important front in maintaining public security. The government will continue promoting interdepartmental coordination, strengthening the analysis of leads and accelerating international law-enforcement cooperation in an effort to eliminate cross-border telecom-fraud networks at their source.
In the next phase, further arrests and accountability measures will be carried out. Cambodian authorities have pledged “zero tolerance” for all unlawful activities and welcomed international assistance in combating such transnational crime.
Compiled by this station
1. Major action in 11 provinces within three days! What kind of anti-fraud storm is Cambodia experiencing?
https://www.kps-tv.com/#/news/detail/650
2. Anti-fraud storm: 2,270 people arrested over 22 days; which countries did the suspects come from?
https://www.kps-tv.com/#/news/detail/681
