AKP Phnom Penh, June 23, 2026 --

Cambodian authorities detained more than 1,300 foreign nationals and seized millions in fines during the first two weeks of June as part of an intensified nationwide sweep against transnational online fraud syndicates, the Ministry of Interior announced Tuesday.

According to H.E. Touch Sokhak, Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, law enforcement forces apprehended a total of 1,332 suspects representing 16 different nationalities during coordinated raids between June 1 and 15.

The operations spanned 78 targeted locations across 12 provinces and municipality, highlighting the expanding geographic footprint of the Royal Government’s enforcement campaign.

In a significant breakthrough, multi-agency task forces uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated counter-intelligence cell operating within the scam networks. The group was tasked with monitoring law enforcement movements, gathering operational intelligence, and photographing police activity to tip off kingpins and evade raids.

Following a targeted investigation, authorities arrested 16 core members and organisers of this surveillance ring, who have since been forwarded to the courts for prosecution. Police are actively tracking down the remaining fugitives.

The Ministry outlined the legal procedures underway for the detained suspects: 87 suspects from 5 nationalities have had formal cases built against them and have been transferred to the judiciary system.

133 individuals spanning 2 nationalities were handed over to the General Department of Immigration for processing and expulsion from the country.

1,112 suspects representing 17 nationalities remain in custody as processing and verification procedures continue.

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Interior has cracked down on property owners and managers facilitating these illicit operations.

During the same two-week window, authorities levied collective fines totaling 197,840,000 Riel (approximately US$49,460) against businesses violating Sub-Decree No. 03, which regulates security and safety management at high-density residential and commercial complexes.

The Royal Government of Cambodia has vowed to sustain its aggressive stance against online gambling and cyber-scam operations, which have drawn intense international scrutiny to the Southeast Asian nation.

By K. Rithy Reak