Cambodia Vows to Eliminate Online Scams by April 2026
Authorities have set an ambitious deadline to “eliminate” online scams across the country by April, with an expert highlighting the need to catch the masterminds behind the operations.
Cambodia has vowed to eliminate online scams by April this year, warning that provinces failing to eradicate them could face legal action, with an analyst stressing that strong political will to dismantle the masterminds behind the operations is crucial to ending the issue in the Kingdom.
Ministry of Interior spokesperson, Touch Sokhak, told Khmer Post USA that Cambodia has set a deadline to eliminate online scams entirely by April 2026, while shifting the approach from “crackdown” to “elimination”.
“We believe we can eliminate it completely, as we have done many times before. In this final stage, we have to finish it,” he said.
Sokhak warned that if any capital or province is found to have online scam sites, local authorities, including government officials, must take responsibility.
Naming it as an “XXL elimination” on online scams, he said the campaign involves both capital and provincial authorities, stressing that with strong political will and following the Prime Minister’s orders, the country is determined to clean up by April.
Seng Vanly, an international relations analyst, noted that the recent arrests and deportations of thousands of foreigners signal the government’s growing political will to tackle online fraud, which threatens security and social order.
However, Vanly said the campaign’s success and sustainability depend not only on arresting low-level operatives, but also on “dismantling the masterminds” behind the networks.
“The public and international community will be watching whether the crackdown leads to real results,” he added. “A true test will be whether authorities investigate influential or high-ranking figures accused internationally.”
Vanly said that fair and impartial law enforcement is essential to restore Cambodia’s reputation amid accusations of transnational crime and money laundering. “Only internal cleansing, backed by regular inspections in key provinces, can ensure public safety and long-term investor confidence.”
A recent nationwide crackdown on online scams has led to the arrest of large numbers of foreign nationals across several provinces, including Sihanoukville, Koh Kong and most recently Bavet city, where 2,044 foreigners were detained. It has also resulted in mass deportations to countries such as China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Uganda, Nigeria, South Korea, India, Thailand, Sierra leon and Malaysia.
Vanly said the crackdown has shown quantitative results through site closures and deportations, but its quality remains in question, warning that if operations simply relocate or reopen elsewhere, their impact is limited.
Political will is key to eliminate masterminds
On January 6, 2026, a major conglomerate operator, Chen Zhi, Prince Holding Group founder, and Xu Ji Liang and Shao Ji Hui, were arrested and repatriated to China in a joint operation carried out between Cambodia and China.
Zhi was sanctioned by both Washington and London on October 14, 2025, accused of orchestrating the sprawling operation of a global transnational cyberfraud network that targeted global victims through “online scams and the laundering of stolen funds”.
Vanly said that “political will and dismantling protective networks are key” to eliminating online scams, noting that large-scale crimes cannot persist without backing from powerful figures.
“The real masterminds will only be caught if the government is willing to cut or remove those protecting them within the system,” he said, warning that targeting only low-level officials and building managers will allow ringleaders to remain free and rebuild networks.
“There is the possibility of catching the masterminds, but it will be a major test of the integrity of the government’s purge campaign,” he said.
Vanly added that technical capacity and international cooperation are crucial for arresting ringleaders, noting that the masterminds behind scam networks often order activities remotely or reside in highly secured locations.
“If Cambodia strengthens cooperation with Interpol, Chinese authorities and other relevant countries to exchange financial data and track cash flows, identifying the ringleaders would be technically possible,” he said.
Earlier this year, the government issued a sub-decree signed by Prime Minister Hun Manet to curb illegal activities, particularly online scams, by holding business owners and officials accountable for concealing illegal foreigners and strengthening security monitoring.
“Violators who intentionally conceal and allow undocumented foreigners to reside in their properties will face a fine of four million riel ($1,000) per individual, in addition to any criminal penalties under existing laws,” the decree says.