Amid Cambodia’s widening crackdown on online scam networks, authorities have raided another casino allegedly linked to cybercrime operations as senior political leaders warned officials accused of protecting fraud syndicates and illegal gambling activities.
The latest raid was conducted at Ying Huang Casino, also known as Caesar Palace Casino, in Sihanoukville, following allegations that the casino was connected to online scam activities.
According to local newspaper Khmer Times, the raid was carried out by provincial military police alongside officials from the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia and the national anti-online scam task force.
Provincial military police said 66 suspects were detained during the operation, including 64 Chinese nationals and two Cambodians.
Investigators seized 62 computers, 428 mobile phones, a firearm with ammunition, 25 passports and several identification documents during the raid. Authorities also discovered computers, monitors and communication equipment concealed inside unfinished sections of the casino building, including unfinished floors and rooms where the equipment had reportedly been hidden inside plastic bags, duffel bags and cardboard boxes.
Around 40 provincial military police officers participated in the operation. Three Chinese nationals identified as alleged ringleaders were later transferred to the provincial court for legal proceedings.
Hun Sen calls for action against complicit officials
The Sihanoukville raid comes as Cambodia’s leadership increases pressure on authorities to step up action against online scam operations and officials accused of involvement in them. Cambodia’s former prime minister and current Senate president, Hun Sen, recently called for stronger action against public officials linked to online fraud operations and illegal gambling activities.
In remarks reported by the Chinese state news agency Xinhua, Hun Sen said authorities must prosecute and seize the assets of civil servants found to be involved in scam operations.
“Cracking down on online scams must happen alongside penalising implicated officials and dismissing those who defy orders,” he said.
Hun Sen also warned that provincial governors, military police commanders and police chiefs who failed to enforce government directives should be removed from office.
“You will not succeed by only cracking down on online scammers without targeting complicit officials and those who fail to execute orders,” he added.
Hun Sen further warned that Cambodia needed to target both scam operations and the networks supporting them, cautioning that inaction could create a “major disaster” and pose risks to national security.
Prime minister warns officials over protection networks
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has also stepped up pressure on local authorities, police and military police to intensify operations against telecom fraud and cyber scam activities.
According to local Chinese-language media outlet The Cambodia China Times, Hun Manet warned in an internal audio recording circulated on social media on 25 May that officials suspected of tolerating or shielding scam operations would face investigation and punishment.
The prime minister said the government had received reliable intelligence suggesting that some provincial officials, district chiefs, village chiefs, police officers and military police personnel were involved in protecting cyber scam activities.
“Please choose one: whether you want to remain in office, or whether you want to continue taking private benefits from scam gangs,” Hun Manet said.
He warned local administrations not to transfer responsibility to the central government, stating that each province must take responsibility for criminal activity within its jurisdiction.
“Do not pass the ball to the central government. If the central government takes action, I will have no choice,” he said.
Hun Manet also rejected suggestions that stronger enforcement would harm Cambodia’s economy, stating that the country had never relied on cyber scam operations. During a cabinet meeting on 22 May, he reportedly said telecom fraud was damaging Cambodia’s public security, national image and international reputation.
Poipet casino licence revoked
Authorities have simultaneously increased enforcement activities against casino properties allegedly linked to online scam operations across Cambodia.
Earlier this month, regulators revoked the licence of KMH Paradise Tower Casino and Hotel in Poipet following an investigation into alleged online scam activities, torture and illegal possession of weapons.
The operation was conducted by the General Secretariat of the Commercial Gambling Management Commission of Cambodia, the National Police and the Unified Command of the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Administration after an inspection on 7 May.
During the raid, authorities detained seven individuals, including one woman, and seized a large quantity of electronic devices believed to be connected to scam operations. The items included 176 mobile phones, 92 all-in-one desktop computers, 45 monitors, 45 CPUs and 39 laptops.
Investigations by Cambodia’s Department of Anti-Cyber Crime and Department of Anti-Commercial Gambling Crime found that Mai Chan Entertainment Co., Ltd., the operator of the casino, had breached CGMC Instruction No. 003/26 related to online scam activities. The casino licence was later revoked.
Nationwide campaign expands
The Poipet and Sihanoukville operations form part of Cambodia’s wider nationwide crackdown on online fraud, cybercrime and illegal gambling-linked activities.
According to government figures cited by Xinhua, Cambodian authorities raided more than 250 online scam centres between July 2025 and mid-April 2026. Officials stated that 91 casinos had been identified as allegedly being used to facilitate online scam operations.
According to government figures, authorities deported 13,039 foreign nationals from 33 nationalities over alleged links to online fraud operations during the same period.
Government figures also showed that more than 241,000 people voluntarily left Cambodia between mid-January and 19 April 2026 as enforcement measures intensified.
The crackdown has focused heavily on casino hubs, including Poipet, Koh Kong, Bavet and Sihanoukville, where authorities have increased inspections and monitoring activities to prevent casino premises from being used for cybercrime operations.
Earlier this month, authorities inspected two previously sealed casino properties in Koh Kong province, Koh Kong International and Long Bay Entertainment, to ensure electricity, water and internet services remained disconnected following earlier shutdown orders.
Officials also checked whether surveillance cameras had been installed to prevent the sites from being reused for online scam activities or related criminal offences.
Tougher anti-scam law comes into force
Cambodia’s enforcement campaign has coincided with the introduction of tougher legislation targeting online fraud and cybercrime operations.
A new anti-scam law came into force on 6 April after receiving final approval from the Senate and royal assent.
Under the legislation, operators of scams linked to fatalities can face prison terms ranging from 15 to 30 years or life imprisonment. Ringleaders can receive prison sentences of between five and 10 years, with harsher penalties applying in cases involving violence, human trafficking, forced labour or illegal detention.
Cambodia introduced the legislation as part of wider efforts to tighten controls on the commercial gambling sector amid increasing international concern over scam operations across Southeast Asia.
During Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s April visit to Phnom Penh, Chinese authorities called for intensified enforcement against cross-border gambling and online fraud operations involving Chinese nationals.
Cambodian authorities have repeatedly stated that the nationwide anti-scam campaign will continue as regulators, law enforcement agencies and provincial administrations expand cooperation to dismantle cybercrime networks operating through casino infrastructure across the country.
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