Phnom Penh, September 23, 2026 — Cambodian and US law enforcement agencies have jointly dismantled 50 online scam sites across seven Cambodian provinces, with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) providing intelligence used by Cambodian authorities to target the operations, according to Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior.
The cooperation also covered 12 criminal investigations, including cases involving cryptocurrency accounts, suspected investment fraud and untraceable internet protocol addresses.
The latest enforcement results come as Cambodia prepares to host the International Conference on Combating Online Scams (ICCOS-2026) in Phnom Penh on September 23–24, bringing together law enforcement agencies and international organisations to discuss coordinated action against transnational online fraud.
FBI Intelligence Leads to 50 Site Crackdown
According to Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior Touch Sokhak, the FBI provided intelligence concerning 50 illicit online scam sites operating across seven Cambodian provinces.
The locations identified were in:
- Oddar Meanchey
- Banteay Meanchey
- Kandal
- Svay Rieng
- Kampot
- Tboung Khmum
- Preah Sihanouk
Cambodian national and sub-national law enforcement units used the intelligence to dismantle all 50 operations, according to the ministry.
The action represents a specific component of the wider Cambodian campaign against technology-facilitated crime.
12 Cases Investigated Through Bilateral Cooperation
Beyond the 50 sites, Cambodian and US authorities jointly investigated 12 criminal cases under a bilateral cooperation framework.
The Ministry of Interior said the cooperation operates under memoranda of understanding signed in 2016 and 2019.
Six investigations involved cryptocurrency accounts identified at the request of US authorities. Cambodian specialised police interviewed six suspects in those cases, but the individuals were ultimately found not to have been involved in the related offences.
Authorities also investigated:
- Three cases involving untraceable IP addresses
- Two alleged cryptocurrency investment fraud cases
- One separate vehicle-related inquiry
The suspects investigated in the two cryptocurrency investment fraud cases were likewise cleared of direct involvement, while the vehicle inquiry produced no further leads after the owner relocated.
The distinction is important: being investigated did not result in a finding of criminal involvement in these cases, according to the Ministry of Interior's account.
Cooperation Follows FBI Director’s Cambodia Visit
The latest cooperation follows FBI Director Kash Patel’s visit to Cambodia, during which he met Prime Minister Hun Manet.
According to the supplied report, Patel commended Cambodia’s efforts against online scams and highlighted the operational relationship between the two countries as an example of international cooperation against transnational cybercrime.
The partnership comes amid growing international efforts to address scam networks that operate across borders and use Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries as locations for fraud operations.
The US Department of Justice has separately taken enforcement action against Southeast Asian scam networks during 2026, including cases involving cryptocurrency fraud and scam compounds connected to Cambodia.
Cambodia’s Wider Anti-Scam Campaign
The 50 sites identified through FBI intelligence form part of a much larger Cambodian enforcement campaign.
Cambodian authorities reported that 488 online scam locations were raided during the first six months of 2026, with 20,926 suspects from 38 nationalities detained. Of those, 2,637 suspects from 26 nationalities were referred to court, while 1,666 people from 14 nationalities signed written commitments and were released.
In August alone, authorities reported raids on 85 remaining small-scale online scam operations, detaining 1,255 suspects from 13 nationalities.
Earlier figures covering July 2025 through August 20, 2026 showed that Cambodian authorities had inspected 793 suspected locations and conducted crackdowns at 624 sites, with nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 nationalities detained.
These figures cover different periods and enforcement categories, so they should not be added together as a single total.
International Conference Opens in Phnom Penh
The latest Cambodia-US enforcement cooperation comes immediately before the International Conference on Combating Online Scams, scheduled for September 23–24 in Phnom Penh.
The conference theme is “Acting Together Towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams.”
Prime Minister Hun Manet is scheduled to deliver the opening keynote, while Interior Minister Sar Sokha is expected to address a high-level session on online scams as a global emergency.
The event will bring together representatives and experts from organisations and law enforcement bodies including:
- FBI
- Australian Federal Police
- INTERPOL
- ASEAN Secretariat
- International Monetary Fund
- Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Secretariat
The conference is intended to strengthen international coordination against online scams and other forms of transnational cybercrime.
Why Cross-Border Cooperation Matters?
Online scam operations frequently operate across multiple jurisdictions. Investigations may therefore involve financial transactions, digital infrastructure, suspects and victims located in different countries.
The Cambodia-US cooperation demonstrates the role of intelligence sharing in identifying suspected operations and supporting local enforcement action.
The US Department of Justice has also described Southeast Asian scam centres as a major focus of its 2026 enforcement efforts. In April, the department announced actions involving scam centres, cryptocurrency fraud and websites used to facilitate fraudulent investment schemes.
US authorities have separately pursued cases involving cryptocurrency laundering connected to scam centres in Cambodia. In January 2026, a Chinese national was sentenced in the US after pleading guilty to laundering more than $36.9 million from victims in a digital-asset investment conspiracy carried out from scam centres in Cambodia.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Joint cooperation | Cambodia and US law enforcement |
| Scam sites dismantled | 50 |
| Provinces involved | 7 |
| Joint criminal investigations | 12 |
| Bilateral MoUs cited | 2016 and 2019 |
| FBI role | Provided intelligence on 50 illicit scam sites |
| Cryptocurrency-account cases | 6 |
| Untraceable IP cases | 3 |
| Cryptocurrency investment-fraud cases | 2 |
| Vehicle inquiry | 1 |
| ICCOS-2026 | September 23–24, Phnom Penh |
Angkor Times Analysis
The latest operation illustrates how Cambodia’s anti-scam campaign is increasingly connected to international intelligence sharing and cross-border law enforcement.
The 50 sites are significant because the Ministry of Interior specifically attributes their identification to intelligence provided by the FBI. This shows how information originating outside Cambodia can be used by Cambodian authorities to identify suspected operations within the country.
At the same time, the 12 joint investigations demonstrate the importance of distinguishing between investigation and criminal culpability. According to the ministry, several people questioned during the investigations were ultimately cleared of direct involvement.
The broader enforcement figures also show the scale of Cambodia’s campaign, but the different reporting periods should be kept separate when assessing the results.
The upcoming international conference provides another mechanism for Cambodia, the United States and other partners to discuss intelligence sharing, financial investigations, digital evidence, victim protection and the cross-border nature of scam networks.
For Cambodia, one of the longer-term challenges will be translating individual raids and investigations into sustained disruption of the financial, technological and recruitment networks that allow scam operations to move across jurisdictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many scam sites were dismantled through the Cambodia-US cooperation?
Cambodian authorities said FBI intelligence contributed to the dismantling of 50 online scam sites across seven provinces.
Which provinces were involved?
The seven provinces were Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Kandal, Svay Rieng, Kampot, Tboung Khmum and Preah Sihanouk.
How many cases were jointly investigated?
Cambodian and US authorities jointly investigated 12 cases under the cooperation framework.
Were all people investigated found to be involved in crimes?
No. According to the Ministry of Interior, six people interviewed in cryptocurrency-account investigations were ultimately found not to have been involved in the related offences. Suspects in two alleged cryptocurrency investment fraud cases were also cleared of direct involvement.
When were the Cambodia-US cooperation agreements signed?
The Ministry of Interior cited memoranda of understanding signed in 2016 and 2019.
What is ICCOS-2026?
The International Conference on Combating Online Scams is being held in Phnom Penh on September 23–24, 2026, under the theme “Acting Together Towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams.”
How large is Cambodia’s wider anti-scam campaign?
During the first six months of 2026, Cambodian authorities reported raids on 488 online scam locations and the detention of 20,926 suspects from 38 nationalities.