In recent weeks, Cambodia has seen a massive crackdown on scam operations, leading to the closure of approximately 200 fraud centers that were deceiving people worldwide. A senior government official has stated that this operation is a part of a larger international effort to combat fraudulent activities, particularly those involving high-tech schemes. Notably, the Anti-Scam Commission chair, Chhay Sinarith, reported sealing around 190 locations so far, indicating the scale and seriousness of the operations being dismantled.

The crackdown appears to be a response to increased pressure from both the United States and China on a supposed scam kingpin of Chinese descent, prompting Cambodia to act decisively. In total, authorities have arrested 173 major criminals tied to these scams and repatriated about 11,000 employees back to their home countries. In recent days, several staff members have attempted to flee these facilities, highlighting the ongoing challenges Cambodia faces in dealing with these operations. The government has been making substantial efforts to contain and remediate the footprint of these scam operations.

A particularly alarming aspect of this scandal is the existence of fake police stations, one of which was showcased to journalists near the Vietnam border at a large complex named 'My Casino.' This location, replete with rows of computers and scattered documents, illustrates the sophisticated nature of the scams at play. The troubling combination of international fraud and the appearance of legitimate institutions has heightened the urgency for Cambodian authorities to take more aggressive measures in curtailing these illicit activities, as they pose not only a financial threat to victims but also undermine local governance and international trust.