Cambodia Cracks Down on Online Scams
Government Operation Targets Illegal Gambling Operations
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA - In a major crackdown on online scams, the Cambodian government has arrested 176 people in connection with what it calls “illegal gambling” operations. The operation, which began last week, targeted high-rise compounds in Sihanoukville, a popular tourist destination known for its casinos and hotels.
Key Findings:
- 176 people of eight different nationalities (including Vietnamese, Thai, Malaysian, and Cambodian) were arrested
- Thousands of phones and computers were recovered as part of the operation
- The compounds are believed to have been used as hubs for online financial fraud
Scams Linked to Cryptocurrency Schemes
The scams, which have victimized people across Asia and the United States, are linked to cryptocurrency schemes. One California-based scam victim lost over $1 million to what’s known as a “pig butchering” scam.
Expert Analysis:
- The government’s crackdown is a positive step, but may not be enough to completely halt the operations
- So long as primary owners are not brought to justice, these fraud factories will continue and metastasize to other countries
Concerns Among Foreign Governments
The operation has sparked concern among foreign governments, with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob saying his country is “very concerned” about Malaysians stranded in Cambodia. The Cambodian government has urged people to be cautious of job offers overseas and encouraged foreigners to report any suspicious activity.
Quote from Prime Minister:
“We take seriously the plight of Malaysians stranded in several countries such as Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia.”
Human Trafficking Concerns
The operation has also sparked concerns about the role of Chinese-run special economic zones in Cambodia’s online scam industry. Sophal Ear, a Cambodian-American professor at Arizona State University, said that these zones “appear to harbor criminal elements” and are “a diplomatic embarrassment for a country that appears to harbor criminal elements that are running a sovereign operation in economic zones.”
Quote from Professor:
“These zones appear to harbor criminal elements and are a diplomatic embarrassment for a country that appears to harbor criminal elements that are running a sovereign operation in economic zones.”