Image: from Jacob in Cambodia X@jacobincambodia
By Open Chronicle News Desk
PHNOM PENH – Cambodian authorities have executed one of the largest law enforcement operations in the country’s history, raiding a massive “scam compound” and detaining thousands of individuals, including nearly 1,800 Chinese nationals. The crackdown targets the pervasive “pig-butchering” and cyber-fraud networks that have turned Southeast Asia into a global hub for industrial-scale digital crime.
Cambodia just raided 22 buildings in Bavet, detaining over 2,000 foreign nationals at the Wan Cheng (A7) casino complex.
700 officers. One morning. The last day of January.
Breakdown of detained individuals: 1,792 Chinese, 179 Myanmar, 177 Vietnamese, 36 Indian, 30 Nepali, and a… pic.twitter.com/2TxNi6Dg8y— Jacob in Cambodia 🇺🇸 🇰🇭 (@jacobincambodia) January 31, 2026
The raid, which took place over the weekend in a fortified complex, was the result of months of intelligence gathering and increasing diplomatic pressure from Beijing and Washington to address the region’s human trafficking and cyber-slavery crisis.
Viral video (over 1 million views) alleges Pursat police stopped two cars carrying 10 Chinese nationals, initially demanded $100k, settled for $20k bribe.
Pursat Provincial Police issued an official denial on Jan 30. They say the stops were part of the nationwide scam crackdown… pic.twitter.com/zMc7aqUItT
— Jacob in Cambodia 🇺🇸 🇰🇭 (@jacobincambodia) January 31, 2026
A Fortress of Fraud
Police units, supported by specialized task forces, breached the perimeter of the multi-building compound, discovering a sophisticated operation equipped with high-speed internet servers, thousands of mobile devices, and scripts designed to manipulate victims across the globe.
According to Cambodian Ministry of Interior officials:
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Total Detained: Approximately 2,500 individuals were taken into custody.
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Chinese Nationals: 1,780 citizens of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) were identified among the detainees.
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Human Trafficking: Preliminary interviews suggest that hundreds of those held were “cyber-slaves”—individuals lured by high-paying job offers who were then stripped of their passports and forced to conduct scams under the threat of violence.
Diplomatic Coordination
The operation highlights a rare moment of functional cooperation between Cambodia and international powers. The Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh issued a statement praising the raid and confirming it is working with the Cambodian police to verify the identities of its citizens for repatriation.
Simultaneously, the U.S. State Department has been ramping up scrutiny of Cambodia’s role in these networks. The Trump administration recently warned of potential sanctions if the Cambodian government failed to dismantle “extra-territorial crime zones” that often enjoy local protection.
The Human Toll
Local NGOs report that the conditions inside the compound were “deplorable,” with workers subjected to 16-hour shifts and physical punishment for failing to meet daily scam quotas. “These are not just businesses; they are modern-day plantations of the digital age,” said a representative for a human rights monitoring group in Phnom Penh.
As the thousands of detainees are processed, authorities are facing a logistical nightmare. The Chinese nationals are expected to be deported back to China in batches to face trial, while victims of trafficking from other nations, including Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, are being moved to government-run shelters.
A Regional Crisis
While the raid is a significant victory, experts warn that these networks are highly mobile. As Cambodia tightens its grip, many operations are reportedly moving to “special economic zones” in neighboring Laos and Myanmar, where law enforcement is even more fragmented.
For the families of the thousands lured into these compounds, this weekend’s raid offers a glimmer of hope, though the road to justice and recovery for the victims remains long and complex.