Cambodia Holds Nearly 5,000 Suspects in Ongoing Scam Crackdown; 77 Police Officers Face Discipline

Cambodia's Ministry of Interior reports that approximately 4,834 individuals—both Cambodian and foreign nationals—remain in custody as part of a sweeping investigation into technology-enabled fraud schemes. The detainees include 737 women and are distributed across 23 prisons and correctional facilities nationwide.

The ministry also disclosed that 77 national police officers have faced disciplinary measures for their involvement in scam-related activities. Punishments have ranged from formal warnings and rank reductions to suspension, salary cuts, and complete removal from the force.

According to ministry spokesman Touch Sokhak, the detained suspects fall into four legal categories. The largest group comprises 4,168 individuals who have been formally charged and are awaiting trial in municipal and provincial courts. A second group of 441 people remain under pre-trial investigation by judges. The third category includes 194 people who have been convicted but retain the right to appeal. The final category encompasses 31 individuals whose convictions are final and are now serving sentences or paying court-ordered fines.

Among the detainees, 491 are Cambodian citizens, while 4,343 are foreigners representing 27 countries. Women make up the majority of the foreign contingent, numbering 544.

The five facilities holding the most scam-related inmates are Svay Rieng Provincial Prison, Preah Sihanouk Provincial Prison, Banteay Meanchey Provincial Prison, Correctional Centre 1, and Koh Kong Provincial Prison.

Sokhak explained that police disciplinary actions depend on the severity of individual involvement. Officers found to have committed minor infractions receive warnings or administrative penalties under 2024 national police regulations. Those whose conduct constitutes criminal offenses face prosecution, with multiple cases already referred to court, though specific numbers were not disclosed.