AKP Phnom Penh, September 21, 2026 -- Cambodian authorities escorted dozens of local and international journalists to inspect a former online scam compound at the border city on Monday, aiming to demonstrate the Royal Government’s progress in dismantling large-scale online scam networks operating within its borders.

A media delegation comprising 79 journalists from 39 local and foreign media outlets inspected a casino site in Svay Rieng province's Bavet city. Organised by the Ministry of Information, the press tour included senior provincial officials, prosecutors, and members of the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS). The visit followed a similar inspection at a former scam centre in Prey Veng province earlier in the day.

Provincial authorities stated that the facility, known as the "Golden Galaxy" casino in Sangkat Bavet of Bavet city, was owned by a Chinese national and subleased to two Vietnamese nationals – Le Van Nguyen and Nguyen Van Vinh – to operate illicit online scam schemes.

Svay Rieng Provincial Governor H.E. Peng Posa told reporters that law enforcement officers detained 244 suspects of four nationalities – Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Cambodian – during the raid. Vietnamese nationals accounted for the vast majority with 182 individuals.

Governor Posa confirmed that three ringleaders were arrested and formally charged, while the remaining suspects were handed over to the General Department of Immigration for deportation in accordance with local laws.

Investigators revealed that the operation utilised impersonation schemes, posing as foreign officials to deceive victims into cross-border employment and financial scams.

"The perpetrators impersonated officials corresponding to their target countries," H.E. Peng Posa said. "If targeting China, they posed as Chinese authorities; if targeting Vietnam, they posed as Vietnamese officials. While based in Cambodia, their operations extended internationally through affiliated branches."

The Governor noted that authorities initially planned to raid the site prior to April 7, 2026, but the owners attempted to cover up operations under the guise of building renovations.

"They conducted illicit activities under the pretext of ongoing construction to mislead local authorities," he added. "Following intelligence reports, law enforcement raided the premise during the alleged repairs and uncovered laptops, mobile phones, and foreign flags on the seventh floor and rear buildings."

H.E. Posa emphasised that while major, centralised scam compounds in the province have been neutralised, syndicates are adapting by dispersing into smaller, localised operations across rented apartments and mobile setups.

Svay Rieng currently hosts 28 registered casinos. Authorities have revoked licences for three establishments – two in Bavet and one in Chantrea district – with judicial proceedings underway to revoke a fourth licence in Bavet.

According to H.E. Hay Makara, a member of the CCOS Secretariat, Cambodian authorities raided 663 online scam locations between July 2025 and August 2026. Among these, 86 major scam compounds were shut down and seized for legal forfeiture.

Additionally, authorities have frozen over US$300 million in linked bank accounts, with asset assessments and further legal proceedings ongoing.

By K. Rithy Reak