Cambodia says no online scam compounds remain, experts skeptical

The Cambodian government claims to have eliminated all scam compounds from the country, according to Chhay Sinarith, the senior minister responsible for combating online scams. Speaking at a meeting with foreign diplomats on Thursday, Sinarith stated that large-scale scam activities have been fully brought under control and there are currently no scam compounds remaining in the country, as reported in a statement released on Friday.

However, criminal groups have shifted to smaller, decentralized operations, hiding in guesthouses, condominiums, rental houses, vehicles, and coffee shops, according to the statement. Authorities continue to target these newer operations. Despite the government's claims, Amnesty International's co-regional director, Montse Ferrer, expressed skepticism about the alleged eradication of the scam industry, citing the industry's entrenched links and the multibillion-dollar nature of the operations.