Cambodian police arrest 170 foreign nationals over illegal online gambling
Police in Cambodia’s Internal Security Department under the Ministry of Interior apprehended around 170 foreign nationals, including Chinese, Vietnamese, and Myanmar citizens, suspected of running an illegal online gambling operation.
Lieutenant Colonel Lim Vannarith, Deputy Chief of the Internal Security Police Unit, said the arrests followed a raid led by a court deputy prosecutor.
The operation took place at around 8:30 pm on Monday at a condominium in Chamkar Morn district’s Doeum Thkov commune, Phnom Penh, owned by a group of Chinese businesspeople.
Authorities had been investigating the condo and found that many foreign nationals, particularly Chinese, were living there but were not allowed to leave. Police suspected they had been trafficked or kidnapped and that the condo was being used for illegal online gambling and drug activities.
“They were apprehended after police raided the condo,” Lt. Col. Vannarith said.
During the raid, police seized laptops, computers, mobile phones, passports, and other materials related to the alleged illegal operation.
The arrested individuals have been placed in temporary detention at the General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior for further questioning. Lt. Col. Vannarith stated that those found violating Cambodian law would face legal proceedings, while those without proper documentation would be deported to their home countries.
The arrests come as part of Cambodia’s ongoing crackdown on illegal gambling. In December last year, the government launched a nationwide operation after a seven-day ultimatum from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.
Authorities at national and sub-national levels were directed to take strong action, including shutting down gambling platforms and arresting those involved. The Ministry of Interior also raised concerns over the spread of gambling-related content on social media and called for stricter monitoring by local authorities. The government’s objective is to restore public order and strengthen social safety by addressing both in-person and online gambling activities.
