Cambodian authorities are investigating 28 casino locations over suspected technology-based fraud, including scams allegedly conducted under the guise of gambling and online betting, as the government continues a nationwide crackdown on cyber-enabled criminal activities. Chhay Sinarith, Senior Minister in Charge of Special Missions and Head of the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Technology-Based Fraud, disclosed the investigations to reporters on October 21, 2026.
The announcement comes as authorities report hundreds of cases sent to court, thousands of suspects prosecuted and detained, tens of thousands of foreign nationals repatriated, and more than $300 million in bank funds frozen as part of broader enforcement and anti-money-laundering efforts.
Key Facts
Casinos under investigation: 28 locations.
Reporting date: October 22, 2026.
Period covered by enforcement statistics: July 2025 to the end of September 2026.
Cases sent to court: 529.
Locations linked to suspected technology-based fraud: 910.
Large-scale scam centres identified: 86.
Suspects prosecuted and detained: 5,778 people of multiple nationalities, according to the official statement.
Foreign nationals repatriated: 22,892 people from 40 nationalities.
Bank funds frozen: More than $300 million.
Additional assets frozen: Movable and immovable property estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Authorities Investigate 28 Casino Locations
Chhay Sinarith said authorities had identified 28 casino locations and placed them under investigation in connection with suspected technology-based fraud.
According to his statement, law enforcement agencies are actively inspecting and investigating activities at casino premises, treating gambling or online betting activities connected to technology-based fraud as part of the wider enforcement effort.
The government, ministries, specialised institutions and provincial and municipal authorities are continuing legal action against suspected technology-based fraud, he said.
The investigation reflects the authorities’ effort to examine suspected criminal activity taking place in or linked to casino facilities. However, being under investigation does not establish that a casino operator or individual has been found guilty of an offence.
The report does not identify all 28 casino locations, specify the ownership of the establishments or disclose how many arrests have been made in connection with these particular investigations.
529 Cases Sent to Court Between July 2025 and September 2026
Chhay Sinarith reported that, from July 2025 through the end of September 2026, authorities had prepared 529 cases for submission to the courts involving 910 locations associated with suspected technology-based fraud.
Among these locations, authorities identified 86 large-scale technology-based scam centres.
The figures indicate the scope of enforcement activity reported during the period. However, the source does not provide a month-by-month breakdown, a provincial distribution of the locations or a detailed explanation of how the 529 cases correspond to the 910 locations.
The distinction between a case and a location is important: one legal case may involve multiple premises, while a single location may be associated with more than one investigation. The report does not explain the precise relationship between these totals.
5,778 Suspects Prosecuted and Detained
According to Chhay Sinarith, 5,778 individuals of multiple nationalities had been charged by courts and ordered detained, with judicial investigations and related legal procedures continuing.
The reported group includes individuals described by authorities as suspected leaders, organisers, accomplices and other alleged offenders associated with technology-based fraud.
These figures concern people who had been charged and detained, according to the official account. They should not be interpreted as a final count of convictions, because the report states that legal proceedings were continuing.
The enforcement figures also cover a broader set of technology-based fraud operations and are not limited to the 28 casinos currently under investigation.
More Than 22,000 Foreign Nationals Repatriated
Authorities also reported that 22,892 foreign nationals from 40 nationalities had been repatriated to their countries of origin.
According to Chhay Sinarith, authorities found that many foreign nationals encountered at operational sites had been deceived or lured by criminal groups, while others had violated Cambodia’s immigration law.
The repatriations were carried out under immigration law and what the official described as international humanitarian standards.
The report does not provide a nationality-by-nationality breakdown or specify how many of those repatriated were identified as victims of trafficking, had voluntarily participated in illegal activities or were subject to immigration violations. Those circumstances should not be assumed to be the same for every individual.
Authorities Freeze More Than $300 Million in Bank Funds
Alongside the crackdown on suspected scam operations, Cambodian law enforcement agencies have pursued financial investigations aimed at identifying and restricting assets allegedly used to facilitate crimes or obtained through criminal activity.
Chhay Sinarith said courts had ordered the freezing of more than $300 million held in bank accounts. Authorities had also frozen movable and immovable assets estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
The measures form part of an anti-money-laundering effort intended to disrupt the financial resources associated with suspected criminal networks.
Asset freezes can prevent funds and property from being transferred while investigations and legal proceedings continue. A freeze, however, is not the same as a final confiscation or a judicial determination that every affected asset represents criminal proceeds.
The report does not disclose the number of accounts involved, the identities of the account holders, the valuation methodology for the additional assets or the final legal status of the frozen property.
Cambodia Continues Its Technology-Based Fraud Crackdown
The latest figures reflect a broad enforcement campaign involving national authorities, specialised agencies and local law enforcement bodies.
The reported actions include investigating suspected criminal locations, preparing cases for court, detaining suspects, repatriating foreign nationals and freezing assets associated with alleged criminal activity.
The investigation of 28 casino locations adds another focus to this broader effort. The authorities' findings and any subsequent legal action will determine the extent to which individual establishments, operators or other parties are implicated.
For the public and businesses, the distinction between an allegation and a proven offence remains important. Investigations and asset restrictions are part of legal processes, while responsibility for criminal conduct must be determined through the applicable judicial procedures.
Angkor Times Analysis: Enforcement, Financial Transparency and Business Confidence
The reported figures highlight several dimensions of Cambodia’s response to technology-based fraud: law enforcement, judicial proceedings, immigration management and the tracing of suspected criminal proceeds.
First, investigations involving casinos require clear, case-specific findings. The identification of 28 locations signals the scope of the current inquiry, but the report does not establish that all casino businesses or operators involved have committed offences. Transparent investigations and due process will be important in determining individual responsibility.
Second, financial investigations are central to disrupting suspected criminal networks. Freezing more than $300 million in bank funds, alongside other assets, indicates that authorities are pursuing the financial side of the alleged offences as well as the premises where suspected activity took place. The eventual outcomes will depend on court proceedings and the legal basis for retaining, releasing or confiscating assets.
Third, the treatment of foreign nationals requires distinctions between different circumstances. The reported 22,892 repatriations cover people from 40 nationalities, but the source does not provide a detailed breakdown of victims, witnesses, suspects or immigration cases. Clear identification and appropriate procedures are important when individuals may have been coerced, deceived or involved in criminal activity.
For Cambodia’s legitimate casino, tourism and investment sectors, the wider significance lies in the credibility and consistency of enforcement. Clear legal standards, evidence-based investigations and transparent judicial outcomes can help distinguish lawful business activity from criminal conduct and provide greater certainty for legitimate operators.
The next developments to watch include whether authorities announce further details about the 28 casino investigations, how many cases proceed to court, and what judicial decisions are made regarding suspects and frozen assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many casinos are under investigation in Cambodia?
Authorities have identified 28 casino locations for investigation in connection with suspected technology-based fraud, according to Chhay Sinarith.
2. What period do the wider enforcement figures cover?
The reported figures cover July 2025 through the end of September 2026.
3. How many cases have been sent to court?
Authorities reported preparing 529 cases for submission to the courts involving 910 locations associated with suspected technology-based fraud.
4. How many large-scale scam centres were identified?
The authorities reported identifying 86 large-scale technology-based scam centres.
5. How many suspects have been charged and detained?
According to the official statement, 5,778 people of multiple nationalities had been charged by courts and ordered detained, with legal procedures continuing.
6. How many foreign nationals have been repatriated?
Authorities reported repatriating 22,892 foreign nationals from 40 nationalities. The report does not provide a detailed breakdown of their individual circumstances.
7. How much money has been frozen?
Courts had ordered the freezing of more than $300 million in bank funds. Additional movable and immovable assets were estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
8. Does being investigated mean a casino has been found guilty?
No. An investigation is not a conviction. Responsibility for any alleged offence must be determined through the relevant legal process.