A Cambodian immigration police lieutenant has been charged after the Anti-Corruption Unit alleged that he helped blacklisted and suspected scam-linked foreigners enter Cambodia through Techo International Airport, with investigators saying he collected more than US$200,000 in six months.
The official, Phe Phatpheng, a lieutenant in the immigration police, is accused of using his position to facilitate the entry of foreigners linked to online scam operations, including individuals who had reportedly been blacklisted from entering Cambodia.
According to the ACU, the alleged activity was uncovered during an investigation into an online scam network operating in Prek Ksach commune.
The allegations have resulted in criminal charges, but they have not been established by a court.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Official | Phe Phatpheng |
| Position | Immigration police lieutenant |
| Location connected to investigation | Koh Kong province |
| Airport involved | Techo International Airport |
| Alleged activity | Facilitating entry of foreign nationals linked to scam operations |
| Period cited by ACU | January–June 2026 |
| Alleged cases | 301 |
| Alleged proceeds | More than US$200,000 |
| Alleged fees | US$120–US$900 depending on service |
| Charges | Abuse of power, technology-based fraud conspiracy, money laundering |
| Wider investigation | Prek Ksach online scam operation |
| Judicial status | Charges filed; case remains in legal proceedings |
ACU Alleges Airport Entry Network
According to the ACU, the investigation identified Phe Phatpheng through a Chinese national identified as Cai Youyuan, who allegedly headed a group of 42 people involved in online scams operating in Prek Ksach commune.
The ACU alleges that Cai arranged for Chinese nationals involved in scam activities to enter Cambodia through Techo International Airport, with Phatpheng allegedly helping facilitate their entry and prepare the required documents.
Investigators further allege that some of the people assisted through the arrangement had previously been placed on Cambodia's immigration blacklist.
The allegations therefore concern not simply visa processing, but the alleged circumvention of normal immigration controls.
Alleged Fees Varied by Entry Arrangement
The ACU alleges that Phatpheng established different fees depending on the type of immigration service requested.
According to investigators, the alleged charges included:
| Alleged service | Reported fee |
|---|---|
| Business visa entry | US$380–US$420 |
| E-commerce entry | US$900 |
| Tourist visa entry | US$120 |
| VIP fast-track border clearance | US$450 |
The ACU alleges that customers provided documents such as flight tickets, passports and identification in advance so that arrangements could be prepared before their arrival.
Investigators also reportedly found that Phatpheng used Chinese-language chat groups to coordinate entry arrangements, transportation and visa-related matters.
ACU Says 301 Cases Generated More Than US$200,000
One of the most significant allegations concerns the scale of the activity.
The ACU says that between January and June 2026, Phatpheng was involved in 301 cases and received more than US$200,000.
Other reports citing ACU information put the amount at approximately US$202,100 or US$202,107.
Investigators allege that some of the proceeds were used to purchase a vehicle and contribute toward the purchase of a property.
The ACU's investigation remains part of the wider case, and the reported financial figures represent allegations based on evidence gathered by investigators rather than a final judicial finding.
Link to Prek Ksach Scam Investigation
The immigration case emerged from a broader investigation involving Prek Ksach commune chief Riem Rom.
Authorities allege that Rom allowed an online scam group to operate from a property of approximately five hectares in the commune.
Earlier reporting on the case said the scam group had moved into smaller operations after authorities targeted larger scam compounds.
The ACU has alleged that Rom and others helped provide the location and protection for the group.
The investigation subsequently led authorities to examine how people connected with the scam network were able to enter Cambodia.
Wider Case Has Multiple Suspects
The investigation has resulted in charges against several individuals.
According to the supplied report, those charged and detained include:
Riem Rom, Prek Ksach commune chief, who is accused of allowing the alleged scam operation to use his property.
Chin Sopan, a former deputy police chief of Kiri Sakor district, who is alleged to have facilitated the group's activities.
Chea Suth and Chea Veasna, who are allegedly linked to efforts to conceal offenders.
Phe Phatpheng, the immigration police lieutenant accused of facilitating the entry of foreign nationals linked to the scam network.
The ACU investigation has also linked the case to the alleged Chinese scam ringleader identified as Cai Youyuan.
Other reporting citing the ACU identifies his alleged real identity as Zhan Jian Qiang, who remains at large and faces allegations including bribery, money laundering, online fraud and organising or leading an online scam centre.
Charges Against Immigration Officer
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court prosecutor has charged Phatpheng with:
Abuse of power
Conspiracy to commit technology-based fraud
Money laundering
The charges represent allegations brought through the judicial process and are not equivalent to a conviction.
The case will therefore have to proceed through Cambodia's courts before criminal responsibility is finally determined.
Why the Case Matters for Airport Security
The allegations raise a significant institutional issue because immigration officers are responsible for applying entry controls at one of the country's principal international gateways.
If investigators' allegations are established through the judicial process, the case would illustrate how corruption within an immigration system could potentially be exploited by transnational criminal networks.
It also highlights the importance of:
Accurate immigration databases
Effective blacklist enforcement
Document verification
Airport screening
Internal oversight
Financial investigations
Cross-agency information sharing
Monitoring of officials with access to immigration systems
The case also demonstrates how investigations into scam compounds can extend beyond the physical locations where fraudulent activities allegedly occur.
Cambodia's Broader Anti-Scam Campaign
The case comes during an intensified Cambodian campaign against online scams.
Cambodian authorities have been conducting raids and investigations into suspected scam compounds and networks, while the government hosted the International Conference on Combating Online Scams in Phnom Penh in September 2026.
At that conference, Prime Minister Hun Manet said Cambodia would not allow the country to become a safe haven for transnational scam networks.
The government has also emphasized international cooperation because online scam networks frequently operate across multiple jurisdictions.
The arrest of an immigration officer alleged to have facilitated entry would add another dimension to that enforcement effort: addressing potential vulnerabilities within institutions that criminal networks may attempt to exploit.
From Scam Compounds to Support Networks
The Prek Ksach investigation also illustrates that online scam operations do not necessarily depend only on a physical compound.
A functioning transnational scam network can require multiple forms of support, including:
Recruitment → International travel → Immigration processing → Accommodation → Communications → Financial transfers → Scam operations
The ACU's allegations concerning Phatpheng relate specifically to the immigration and entry stage.
Other allegations in the wider case concern the provision of property, protection and assistance to people involved in the alleged scam operation.
This broader approach to investigation can help authorities examine the infrastructure surrounding criminal operations rather than focusing solely on the individuals directly conducting scams.
Angkor Times Analysis
The significance of the Phatpheng case lies in the institutional access alleged by investigators.
The central allegation is not simply that an individual accepted money. The ACU alleges that an immigration officer used his official position to help people enter Cambodia who should not have been admitted, including individuals reportedly blacklisted or suspected of involvement in online scams.
If proven, such conduct could create a vulnerability at a critical point in the country's border-control system.
The reported 301 cases and more than US$200,000 in alleged proceeds also suggest that investigators are examining the activity as a potentially organised pattern rather than an isolated incident.
At the same time, the distinction between allegation and established fact is essential. Phatpheng has been charged, but the allegations must still be tested through judicial proceedings.
For Cambodia's broader anti-scam campaign, the case highlights the importance of investigating not only scam operators but also the networks and institutional vulnerabilities that may enable them to establish themselves, move personnel and continue operations.
Effective enforcement therefore involves more than closing physical scam locations. It also requires identifying how criminal groups obtain access to territory, services, financial channels and administrative systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Phe Phatpheng?
Phe Phatpheng is a lieutenant in Cambodia's immigration police who has been charged in connection with an investigation into an alleged online scam network in Koh Kong province.
What is he accused of doing?
The ACU alleges that he used his position to facilitate the entry of foreign nationals linked to online scam operations, including people who had reportedly been blacklisted from entering Cambodia.
How much money does the ACU allege he received?
The ACU says he received more than US$200,000 between January and June 2026 through 301 alleged cases.
What were the alleged fees?
The reported fees ranged from US$120 for tourist visa arrangements to US$900 for e-commerce entry, with business visa arrangements reportedly costing US$380–US$420 and VIP fast-track clearance US$450.
What is the connection to the Prek Ksach scam case?
The ACU says the immigration allegations were uncovered while investigating an alleged online scam group operating from property in Prek Ksach commune, Kiri Sakor district, Koh Kong.
Has Phatpheng been convicted?
No. He has been charged, and the allegations remain subject to Cambodia's judicial process.
Why is the case important?
The allegations concern potential misuse of immigration authority to facilitate the movement of people connected to transnational criminal activity. It therefore raises issues involving border control, institutional oversight and anti-corruption enforcement.