AKP Phnom Penh, April 08, 2026 --

Cambodian authorities have detained 244 suspects in a crackdown on online scam operations at a casino complex in Bavet city, Svay Rieng province, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia, as the Royal Government steps up efforts to eliminate cyber fraud networks.

The operation was carried out on April 7 morning at the Golden Galaxy Casino, located along National Road 1 in Bavet, in a joint effort by the National Police, local unified command forces, and officials from the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia, under the supervision of the Svay Rieng provincial prosecutor.

Among those detained were 182 Vietnamese nationals, 49 Chinese, nine South Koreans and four Cambodians. Authorities also seized 505 mobile phones, 150 desktop computers, one laptop, one monitor and four vehicles.

Officials said the suspects were involved in technology-based fraud schemes, with Cambodia allegedly used as an operational base to target victims abroad. Legal proceedings are underway in accordance with Cambodia’s newly enacted law on combating online scams, promulgated on April 6, 2026.

Following the raid, the gambling regulator revoked the casino license of K.B.I. (Cambodia) Plc., the operator of Golden Galaxy Casino, citing its involvement in cyber fraud activities and violations of regulations under the Law on Commercial Gambling Management.

The crackdown forms part of a broader nationwide campaign to eradicate online scam operations. 

Authorities pledged to continue strict enforcement under the Royal Government directive No. 1, issued in July 2025, with coordinated inspections and raids targeting any casino or business suspected of links to illicit activities, particularly cyber-enabled fraud.

By K. Rithy Reak