A nationwide crackdown in Cambodia has led to the shutdown of approximately 200 scam centres, according to reports. The operation was led by Cambodia’s Commission for Combating Online Scams, chaired by senior minister Chhay Sinarith.
One abandoned centre, located in Kampot province near the Vietnam border and known as My Casino, was shown to the media this week. The centre contained workspaces with computer terminals, documents detailing methods to defraud Thai victims, call booths, and a mock Indian police station.
Authorities reported that no arrests were made at the complex as workers fled following the detention of their alleged boss, Ly Kuong. Police indicated they lacked sufficient manpower to detain the approximately 6,000 to 7,000 individuals who left the site, according to Kampot provincial police chief Mao Chanmothurith.
Why This Matters for India’s Fight Against Digital Arrest Scams
This crackdown occurs as India faces a surge in cyberfraud, including “digital arrest” scams that often target senior citizens. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) reports that residents have lost over ₹52,976 crore to various fraud and cheating schemes in the past six years.
The Supreme Court of India has directed the CBI to investigate digital arrest scams, granting the agency authority to examine the role of bankers involved with fraudulent accounts. The Reserve Bank of India has similarly been asked to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to detect and freeze suspicious accounts.
These scams are carried out by complex international networks involving callers, bankers, and “mule accounts.” For example, Delhi Police recently dismantled a Taiwan-linked syndicate that allegedly defrauded approximately ₹100 crore from Indian citizens by impersonating law enforcement officials. Several individuals involved in that syndicate had previously worked at scam centres in Cambodia and were allegedly financed by a handler based in Pakistan, with a lawyer in Nepal suspected of remote oversight.
Similarly, Delhi Police recently arrested seven people in connection with a ₹14.85 crore fraud against an elderly couple. This scam involved NGOs across three states, an international syndicate with links to Cambodia and Nepal, and the use of mule accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of scams were these centres running?
The centres were used to carry out “digital arrest” scams, targeting victims in both India and Thailand, according to the report.
Were any arrests made at the My Casino complex?
No arrests were made at the My Casino complex, as workers fled after the detention of their alleged boss, Ly Kuong.
How much money have Indian residents lost to fraud in recent years?
Resident Indians have lost more than ₹52,976 crore to various fraud and cheating cases over the past six years, according to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
As international cooperation increases and authorities target the infrastructure supporting these scams, what further steps might be taken to protect vulnerable populations from falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated schemes?
