Authorities in Cambodia reported a mass exodus from alleged cyberfraud compounds in Sihanoukville following the arrest and extradition of accused scam boss Chen Zhi. Officials say raids have hit 118 sites with roughly 5,000 arrests in six months, while Amnesty and witnesses report many people and equipment were moved out before police arrived. Human rights groups warn that trafficked and coerced workers remain at risk even as the government tightens enforcement. International pressure, especially from China, has intensified attempts to dismantle transnational scam networks.
Scam City in Chaos: Hundreds Flee Sihanoukville After Alleged Kingpin's Arrest and Extradition
Hundreds of people fled a suspected Cambodian cyberfraud centre, after the country's most wanted alleged scam kingpin was arrested and deported (TANG CHHIN Sothy)(TANG CHHIN Sothy/AFP/AFP)
Hundreds of people hurriedly packed suitcases, computer monitors, pets and furniture and left Amber Casino and other compounds in the coastal resort of Sihanoukville after the arrest and deportation of accused scam boss Chen Zhi, authorities and witnesses said.
Mass Exodus and Immediate Aftermath
Groups boarded tuk-tuks, Lexus SUVs and tourist coaches as they departed fortified buildings long linked to alleged internet fraud operations. Many who left declined to speak on the record, citing safety fears. A Bangladeshi man outside Amber Casino said his employer had ordered him to leave immediately and added that he expected to find other work.
Government Action and Financial Moves
Cambodia's anti-scam commission says it has raided 118 locations and arrested about 5,000 people in the past six months. After Chen's extradition to China, authorities moved against affiliates tied to his alleged network: Prince Bank was ordered into liquidation and sales of homes at several luxury properties linked to the Prince Group were frozen.
Scope of the Industry
Once a glitzy tourist hub, Sihanoukville has become notorious for alleged cyberfraud compounds. A 2025 Amnesty International report identified 22 suspected scam locations in Sihanoukville, part of 53 sites reported across Cambodia. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime estimates global losses to online scams reached as much as $37 billion in 2023 and says at least 100,000 people work in the industry in Cambodia alone.
Accusations of Collusion and 'Anti-Crime Theatre'
Local residents and analysts reported that many workers and equipment were moved out of compounds days before police arrived. Witnesses described scenes consistent with a preemptive withdrawal, prompting some observers to label the raids 'anti-crime theatre' and raise concerns about possible collusion between operators and officials. Mark Taylor, a former Cambodia-based anti-trafficking NGO head, said he had observed the 'preemptive shifting of scam centre resources' ahead of enforcement sweeps.
Human Rights Concerns
Human rights groups stress that not all people inside these compounds are willing participants. Amnesty and other organisations have documented cases in which foreign nationals were lured with promises of well-paid jobs and then coerced or held against their will. Victims reportedly include trafficked workers forced to conduct scams under threat of violence.
International Pressure and Ongoing Investigation
China has stepped up efforts to pursue alleged perpetrators across Southeast Asia, detaining key figures and seeking their return for trial. Cambodian authorities say they are intensifying efforts to 'eliminate all problems related to the crime of cyber scams', but questions remain about the effectiveness and timing of recent operations.
On the ground: AFP journalists observed coachloads of Mandarin speakers leaving Sihanoukville toward Phnom Penh; many appeared anxious and uncertain about their next destination.
As government action intensifies, investigators, rights groups and regional partners say greater transparency and protection for potential trafficking victims are essential to ensure enforcement does not simply displace criminal activity or punish coerced workers.
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