AKP Phnom Penh, May 29, 2026 --

Cambodian authorities have detained six South Korean nationals suspected of involvement in cyber fraud operations following a targeted raid on a luxury villa in northwestern Battambang province, local officials reported Friday.

The operation, which took place on Thursday, was executed by the Battambang Provincial Unified Command under the direct orders of Provincial Governor H.E. Sok Lou. The raid is part of an intensified provincial crackdown on proliferating online scam networks.

According to the officials, security forces searched a villa in Chamkar Samrong II village, located in Battambang city, where they discovered the six South Korean men.

Investigators revealed that the suspects had occupied the premises since May 22 and are believed to be the subjects of Interpol Red Notices.

Both the suspects and confiscated evidence have been transferred to the National Police General Commissariat’s Office in Phnom Penh for further investigation and legal processing.

In a related development, authorities detained a Cambodian national accused of acting as a logistics driver, transporting the cyber fraud suspects between various mobile operating locations. The driver and the owner of the rented villa are currently undergoing legal interrogation. The property has been sealed and placed under the jurisdiction of the Battambang municipal administration.

The provincial administration emphasised that law enforcement agencies are actively tracking down the masterminds of these operations. Authorities noted that syndicate members are increasingly fragmenting into smaller, decentralised cells to evade detection. Officials vowed to strictly enforce laws targeting technological and cyber fraud.

Following the raid, provincial authorities issued a stern warning to landlords renting properties to foreign nationals. Under Sub-Decree No. 03 on the Management of Security and Safety in Collective Residential Locations, property owners are legally required to report foreign tenants to local police stations.

Failure to comply will result in a fine of 4 million Riels (approximately US$1,000) per unregistered foreigner, alongside potential criminal prosecution under applicable Cambodian statutes.

By K. Rithy Reak