Cambodia Shuts 91 Casinos in Cybercrime Crackdown After China Pressure

Cambodia has shut down 91 casinos and deported over 13,000 foreign nationals in a sweeping crackdown on transnational cybercrime, following high-level diplomatic pressure from China to eradicate the vast scam networks operating within its borders.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, Cambodia has made combating online scams a national priority," Neth Pheaktra, Cambodia's Minister for Information, said in a statement, adding the government has an "unwavering determination to eradicate online scams."

The enforcement action, which has seen over 250 scam centers raided in nine months, accelerated after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit on April 22. Authorities report that 13,039 foreign nationals have been deported and a further 241,888 individuals left the country voluntarily between January and April as a new anti-scam law with penalties up to life imprisonment took effect.

The crackdown represents a critical attempt by Cambodia to restore its international reputation and dismantle the "Scambodia" label that has deterred legitimate investment. The success of this campaign is vital for Phnom Penh to regain economic and diplomatic standing, with the July 1 deadline for new regional cybersecurity decrees fast approaching.

New Law Introduces Life Sentences

To provide a legal backbone for the crackdown, Cambodia promulgated a new law on April 6, 2026, creating some of the region's toughest penalties for cybercrime. Under the new framework, ringleaders of scam operations that result in a victim's death can face life in prison. Bosses whose operations involve torture, illegal detention, or human trafficking face sentences of 10 to 20 years, while even low-level participants face two to five years behind bars.

The harsh penalties are a direct response to the brutal nature of the scam compounds, where victims are often lured with fraudulent job offers and then held captive and forced to conduct scams. The legislation aims to dismantle the criminal hierarchy from the top down, signaling an end to the era of impunity for operators in the country.

Regional Pressure Mounts

The intensified campaign follows months of mounting international pressure. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was unequivocal during his April visit, urging Cambodia to take "stronger action" and completely eradicate the networks that threaten public safety in both nations. The issue has become a major focal point in Cambodia-China relations.

The pressure is not just from Beijing. The United States has also announced sanctions and criminal charges against cybercrime networks based in Cambodia and Myanmar. The coordinated international scrutiny has left Phnom Penh with little choice but to act decisively. The campaign has also had a significant impact on neighboring Thailand, which is cooperating with China to pursue ringleaders and has conducted its own raids on scam centers along the Thai-Cambodian and Myanmar borders. The closures and mass deportations are a clear signal that Cambodia is attempting to demonstrate visible progress to its international partners.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.