Cambodia Intensifies Crackdown on Cyber Scams with 91 Casino Shutdowns

A further step taken by Cambodia to crack down on its cybercriminal networks has seen it shut down 91 casinos accused of being associated with the scammers. This is against a backdrop of increased pressure by the Cambodian government on the gambling industry and its cybersecurity enforcement operations.

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Raids and Deportations

According to the Cambodian government, the crackdown has seen a total of 250+ scamming facilities shut down during the nine-month period ending December last year. This was following raids on premises identified to be engaged in illegal acts, including scamming, online fraud, and illegal gambling. This is one of the measures taken towards tackling the issue of scamming compounds and networks operating within the country.

Additionally, authorities confirmed that 13,039 foreigners originating from 33 different nations were deported due to their involvement in the scams. Another number of about 241,888 individuals reportedly left the nation voluntarily between mid-January and April 19.

China’s Pressure

The move came in the wake of the visit to Phnom Penh by the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on April 22 during which Beijing called for enhanced measures to combat gambling and Internet fraud across the border, as Beijing considers the above mentioned phenomenon a menace to the security and stability in the region.

It appears that it has become an important topic for bilateral relations between China and Cambodia. China has become more outspoken in demanding regional community to take action against the global cybercrime syndicates. In particular, Chinese officials are concerned about the scam calls made to mainland residents from Southeast Asian bases.

According to official statements reported by Xinhua News Agency, the 91 casinos were identified as either directly operating scam activities or facilitating online fraud networks. This shows that there is an increase in aggression against such premises in Phnom Penh, which are seen as fronts for digital scams.

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Legal Changes

The crackdown also comes alongside a tightening of Cambodia’s legal framework. A new law on combating online scams came into force on April 6, bringing significantly harsher penalties for those involved in such activities. According to the law, operators of any scams that lead to deaths will get a jail term of 15 to 30 years or even life imprisonment.

The masterminds of the scams may be jailed for 5 to 10 years, or 10 to 20 years if there is violence, abduction, human trafficking, or forced labor. The law was promulgated by royal decree signed by Hun Sen, acting as head of state, after final approval by the Senate on April 3, and took immediate effect.

Next Enforcement Step

However, the shutdown of 91 casinos can be considered as one of the most obvious measures. Apart from the fact stated above, this move shows the intention of the government to intervene in the affairs of gambling establishments and Internet-related crimes.

Cambodia has to show results following increasing pressure exerted by China, the United States, and other regional players.

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Source: Asia Gaming Brief