Cambodian authorities have ordered the suspension of four casinos in Preah Sihanouk province after uncovering alleged links between the properties and ongoing cyber-fraud operations. The move follows the high-profile arrest of 107 Indonesian nationals in Phnom Penh last week, accused of running online scams from within the country.
Government inspection targets Cambodian hotels and casinos amid rising cybercrime
According to the General Secretariat of the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia (CGMC), the decision to halt operations came after a series of inspections revealed “suspicious digital activities” and possible violations of the Kingdom’s Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation. The four venues—whose names were not disclosed publicly—will remain closed pending further investigation.
Authorities said the crackdown is part of a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Interior, the National Police, and provincial task forces to dismantle criminal networks operating under the guise of legitimate casino and technology businesses. These operations, often referred to as cyber-fraud compounds, have been under international scrutiny for their involvement in online scams, forced labour, and cross-border money laundering.
The suspension comes just days after 107 Indonesians were detained in Phnom Penh for allegedly orchestrating large-scale scams targeting victims in Southeast Asia and beyond. Police sources believe several of those arrested had previously worked in casino-linked call-centre operations, a pattern consistent with earlier investigations into transnational fraud rings.
Cambodian officials emphasised that the government’s objective is to restore the reputation of the country’s gaming sector, which has faced repeated allegations of being used as a front for criminal activity. “Operators that fail to comply with the law or facilitate illegal activities will face immediate closure and legal action,” a CGMC spokesperson stated.
Preah Sihanouk, once a booming casino and tourism hub, has become a focal point of anti-scam operations since 2022, as authorities seek to attract legitimate investment and distance the province from its association with organised cybercrime.
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As investigations continue, regional observers note that the dual measures—mass arrests and casino suspensions—signal a broader shift in Cambodia’s enforcement strategy: from reactive policing to systemic reform, targeting both the perpetrators and the infrastructure that enables their crimes.
