On December 2, Cambodian newspapers reported that the country's authorities had just dismantled a large-scale transnational online fraud ring in Phnom Penh, in a coordinated campaign against a group accused of committing online fraud and blackmail.
The operation was led by the Phnom Penh Urban Government's Unity Command, targeting a suspected operation center in a villa in the capital's Chbar Ampov district. Based on intelligence sources, specialized units raided this facility on the morning of December 1 (local time).
According to local officials, 28 people were arrested when the authorities raided. Investigators seized a large number of devices for fraudulent activities, including 39 computer screens, 11CPs, about 100 mobile phones and many SIM cards.
This group of workers is said to be part of a network specializing in international victim scams by creating fake love relationships online before blackmailing.
Although authorities have not yet released whether the captives were victims who were tricked into being sent to Cambodia to work illegally, this situation occurs frequently in cases of dismantling online fraud rings in Cambodia.
After the raid, all those arrested were taken to the Phnom Penh Urban Police Headquarters for statements. Digital teams are analyzing the seized device to identify the leader and cross-border connections of the line.
The arrests demonstrate our determination, said a senior official with the Unity Command, asserting: Cambodia applies a policy of no leniency with cybercrime and will strictly handle all related subjects, without exception.
This search is part of a series of campaigns to strengthen the suppression of cybercrime gangs held in Cambodia - an issue that is causing pain in the region.
Cambodia has recently promoted cross-border cooperation and tightened domestic law enforcement to deal with networks that often use forced foreign workers or trade to operate online fraud activities.
