In one of the region’s largest enforcement operations to date, the government of Cambodia has shut down 91 casinos identified as fronts for cybercriminal networks.
The move is part of an aggressive strategy to dismantle scamming compounds that have plagued Southeast Asia’s digital security.
Raids, Deportations, and Diplomatic Pressure
Over the nine-month period ending in late 2025, Cambodia has closed more than 250 facilities linked to online fraud and illegal gambling. These raids have led to the deportation of 13,039 foreigners from 33 different nations.
The latest surge in enforcement follows a high-profile visit from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who urged Cambodia to treat internet fraud as a regional security menace. Beijing is particularly concerned about scam calls targeting mainland residents from bases in Phnom Penh and beyond.
New Law Mandates Life Imprisonment
The crackdown is supported by a powerful new legal framework that came into effect on April 6. The new law on online scams introduces some of the world’s harshest penalties:
- Operators: Those running scams that lead to a victim’s death now face life imprisonment.
- Masterminds: Leaders of human trafficking or forced labor rings within these compounds can be jailed for up to 20 years.
Promulgated by royal decree, the law aims to show the international community, including the United States and China, that the government Cambodia is committed to cleaning up its gambling industry. These 91 closures represent a significant next step in proving that the nation’s casinos will no longer serve as sanctuary for global cybercrime syndicates.
