**Cambodia’s Claim to Have Ended Scam Compounds Met with Scepticism**
Cambodia has announced that it has eradicated all scam compounds that previously made the country a focal point for cybercrime. This declaration was made by Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, who leads the government's Commission for Combating Online Scams, during a meeting with foreign diplomats and international officials. However, rights groups and analysts have expressed doubt regarding the veracity of this claim, citing a lack of independent verification.
In a statement released on August 28, 2026, Minister Sinarith asserted that large-scale scam operations have been "brought fully under control" and that no online scam compounds currently exist within the country. The minister attributed this success to a combination of stringent legal actions against perpetrators, the dismantling of networks involved in scams, and the establishment of a comprehensive cybersecurity legal framework.
Despite these claims, the statement acknowledged a shift in criminal activities, noting that scam operations have become more decentralized. Authorities indicated that these operations are now being conducted from various locations, including guesthouses, rental homes, vehicles, and coffee shops, rather than centralized compounds. The government has committed to continuing its efforts to target these dispersed operations.
Scam compounds, often associated with Chinese criminal syndicates, have proliferated in Cambodia and neighboring regions, including Laos, the Philippines, and areas along the Myanmar-Thai border, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports from Reuters have yet to independently confirm the Cambodian government’s assertion of eradication.
Human rights organizations have expressed skepticism about the government's claims. Montse Ferrer, co-regional director at Amnesty International, emphasized that the closure of scam compounds does not equate to the elimination of the underlying criminal activities. Ferrer stated, “The true test of long-term success is not how many compounds have closed, but whether the actors responsible have been investigated, prosecuted, and prevented from resuming operations.”
Mark Taylor, an independent consultant specializing in anti-trafficking efforts, echoed these concerns, suggesting that confidence in the government’s assertion is misplaced. He pointed out that there are credible indications that significant scamming operations persist and that foreign workers continue to be recruited for scam-related activities in Cambodia.
In terms of law enforcement actions, Minister Sinarith reported that from July 2025 to August 20, 2026, authorities investigated 793 suspected locations and conducted raids on 624 sites. These operations led to the detention of nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 different nationalities. Additionally, authorities rescued and deported over 58,000 foreign nationals and arrested 3,477 suspects from 29 nationalities, who are currently awaiting trial.
As Cambodia continues to address the issue of online scams, the international community remains watchful, seeking tangible evidence of sustained efforts to combat cybercrime and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation. The government's claims of having fully eradicated scam operations will likely be scrutinized as the situation evolves.