In a decisive move against rampant online fraud, Cambodian authorities have arrested more than 1,000 individuals in a large-scale operation targeting cybercrime rings across the country. The coordinated raids, which took place over several days in mid-July 2025, followed a directive from Prime Minister Hun Manet emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard national security and public order amid a surge of technology-enabled scams.
Scope of the Operation
Law enforcement agencies conducted simultaneous raids across at least five provinces, including Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Poipet, Kratie, and Pursat. These operations focused on dismantling criminal networks operating out of both small residential apartments and sprawling scam compounds.
The crackdown resulted in the detention of suspects from a wide range of nationalities. Among those arrested were more than 200 Vietnamese nationals, 271 Indonesians, 27 Chinese, 75 Taiwanese, 85 Cambodians, as well as individuals from Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and other countries. Authorities seized hundreds of computers, mobile phones, and other devices believed to have been used in carrying out fraudulent activities.
Cybercrime and Human Trafficking
The illegal activities uncovered extend far beyond online fraud. According to reports from the United Nations and human rights organizations, many of the scam operations rely on forced labor. Laborers, mostly foreign nationals, are often lured to Cambodia with promises of lucrative jobs only to find themselves confined, abused, and exploited. Investigations estimate that more than 100,000 people may be trapped in modern-day slavery within Cambodia’s scam industry, which is believed to generate billions of dollars annually for international criminal syndicates.
Human Rights Concerns Raised
The operation has drawn scrutiny from advocacy groups such as Amnesty International, who have expressed concerns about persistent human rights abuses including human trafficking, forced child labor, and torture within the scam centers. Previous reports have accused certain authorities of inaction or even complicity, fueling calls for greater accountability and protection for victims.
Regional Response and Political Implications
Cambodia’s crackdown reflects mounting regional pressure to address the proliferation of cybercrime networks across Southeast Asia. The issue has strained diplomatic relations, notably between Cambodia and neighboring Thailand, due to both cross-border criminal activity and ongoing territorial disputes.
Prime Minister Hun Manet has made clear that failure by law enforcement or military officials to participate effectively in anti-cybercrime measures will result in dismissal. This hard-line stance is seen as a response to growing international and domestic demand for effective action against online fraud, human trafficking, and organized crime.
