Background
Online scam compounds have become a cross-border security and law-enforcement issue in mainland Southeast Asia, particularly in border cities linked to migration, property leasing, and international communications networks. Investigations into these operations typically involve cyber-enabled fraud, organized criminal management structures, digital devices, and the movement of foreign nationals across immigration channels.
In Cambodia, the National Police and other competent authorities handle suspected online fraud through criminal investigation, evidence seizure, and coordination with prosecutors and immigration authorities. Foreign nationals found during raids may be transferred to the General Department of Immigration for further procedure, while persons identified as managers, translators, owners, or other suspects may be separated for continued criminal processing. Seized computers, phones, vehicles, cash, and weapons can form part of the evidentiary record in fraud and related criminal cases.
Poipet in Banteay Meanchey province is a major border city with concentrated commercial premises and frequent cross-border movement, making it a recurring enforcement location for transnational crime investigations. Anti-scam operations in such areas often involve mixed teams from national and provincial authorities and require prosecutorial coordination before site searches, detention, and sealing of premises can proceed.
Key Developments
According to the National Police of Cambodia, on 22 April 2026 Lieutenant General Hem Sovath, Deputy Commissioner General of the National Police, led a joint operation with Banteay Meanchey provincial police to suppress online fraud activities at two sites comprising three buildings in Ou Chrov commune, Poipet city, Banteay Meanchey province. The action was carried out under the order of National Police Commissioner General Sar Thet and with coordination from a representative of the prosecutor attached to the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court.
The report stated that authorities inspected two locations and found a total of 402 suspects, including 36 women, from 10 nationalities: Chinese, Vietnamese, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Indonesian, Myanmar, Tajik, Indian, Nepali, and Georgian. Authorities reported the seizure of 622 desktop and all-in-one computers, 9 laptops, 2,432 mobile phones, 7 vehicles, one CZ 75 pistol with serial number 937310, 10 rounds of ammunition, six safes containing USD 9,900 and unspecified amounts of baht and riel, and certain documents.
Operational Implications
The police report said 17 individuals were taken for further procedure as suspected managers, translators, a Chinese national identified as the owner of a vehicle bearing Cambodian plate number 14.FACAI, and owners of the premises. Of those 17, 14 were Chinese nationals and 3 were Cambodian nationals, including one Cambodian woman identified as the site owner. These individuals, together with seized materials and evidence, were sent to the Department of Commercial Gambling Suppression for temporary storage and further procedure.
Authorities stated that 385 foreign nationals, including 34 women, were sent to the General Department of Immigration for continued procedure. The locations were temporarily sealed by the joint task force pending further legal process.
Enforcement Actions
The police report described the suspected fraud methods as online investment solicitation involving cryptocurrency and stock trading, with references to the website crypto.com, promotion through Facebook and Instagram, and communications through TextNow. The reported targets were in Europe. Authorities also described alleged crypto-currency fraud aimed at Europe and romance-investment scam methods targeting victims in the United States and Europe through Telegram and WhatsApp.
The operation illustrates how Cambodian authorities distinguish between persons held for immigration procedure and individuals retained for criminal investigation based on alleged operational roles within the sites. It also shows that enforcement against online scam compounds can combine cybercrime investigation, asset seizure, firearms seizure, and temporary closure of buildings in a single coordinated action.
Official Source
National Police of Cambodia report and linked official police publication: https://police.gov.kh/?p=153929
