Raids across Phnom Penh and Surrounding Areas Disperse Scam Workers

A row of villas in the back of the reported scam center Mango Park, with windows and doors left open, in Cambodia's Kampong Speu province on August 13, 2025 | Danielle Keeton-Olsen / Mekong Independent

In an article for Mekong Independent, Mech Dara and Danielle Keeton-Olsen discuss the continuing operation of global scam operations in Cambodia despite authorities in Phnom Penh and surrounding areas leading raids on online scams and gambling.

Authorities in Phnom Penh and surrounding areas led crackdowns on online scams and gambling from the second half of last year through this month. But local residents say they saw many workers leave before authorities arrived, and some scam centers remained in operation or in limbo.

Cambodia made one of its most significant arrests to date by cooperating with China on the deportation of Chen Zhi, the tycoon, former government adviser and chairman of the Prince Group, on January 6. Chen Zhi had been sanctioned by the U.S. and U.K. governments in October, with various governments confiscating assets as the network was exposed.

Following Chen Zhi’s arrest, observers on Chinese social media say that Prince-linked compounds in the Chrey Thom area started relocating workers.

On Tuesday, workers could be seen removing furniture and other equipment from the Prince Group’s headquarters on Koh Pich island in Phnom Penh.