Cambodian authorities have asked Interpol to issue Red Notices for two people accused of running online scam operations, even as cases stemming from raids on several large compounds continue through the court system. The request comes as the government deepens cooperation with overseas law enforcement agencies.

The steps were outlined during a two-day media tour that wrapped up on September 22 at the Phnom Penh Municipal Police headquarters. Journalists had earlier visited dismantled scam compounds in Prey Veng, Svay Rieng and Kandal provinces.

Seventy-five reporters from 42 media organisations took part, among them 23 foreign outlets, according to Ministry of Information spokesperson Tep Asnarith, who led the group. He said the delegation was granted direct access to sites and officials involved in Cambodia's fight against technology-driven fraud.

Arrest warrants issued

According to a fact sheet handed out during the tour, a court has issued arrest warrants for Qiu Ren Wu and John Riskin, who are alleged to be linked to the Jin Zi Hui Property Management compound in Kandal province. Qiu Ren Wu is listed as the registered owner of the site, while John Riskin is described as his representative. Authorities have also sought Interpol Red Notices for both men.

The fact sheet said the compound's owner and staff had departed before inspectors arrived. The property, in Prek Sueng village of Sampov Poun town, has since been sealed off.

The compound held 55 buildings, 113 villas and 4,707 rooms. Investigators confiscated 3,779 computers, 11,585 mobile phones, 56 computer processing units, 35 servers, passports and other gear. Eight foreign police uniforms were also found.

Media members were shown AI-generated scam scripts as well as handwritten notes left behind by those who fled.

Impersonation cases

Phnom Penh police separately briefed reporters on cases in which suspects allegedly posed as police officers, customs officials and other government figures. Asnarith said foreign journalists were especially focused on cases involving Japanese, European and American citizens, as well as the methods used by scammers to imitate officials.

He said the Phnom Penh police offered straightforward explanations, specific details and examples of the practical steps taken to crack down on such crimes and move cases into court. Each case already before the judiciary is being processed through strict legal procedures, he added.

Officials also discussed cooperation between Cambodian investigators and international partners, including the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, Interpol, China and law enforcement bodies from other nations. Such collaboration is seen as vital for sharing intelligence, identifying suspects and following transnational criminal networks whose leaders, workers, infrastructure and victims may be spread across multiple countries.

Asnarith said the authorities showed their dedication to the crackdown and to wiping out transnational online scam activity in Phnom Penh, while supporting the nationwide campaign.

Other compounds targeted

Legal steps have also been taken against suspects tied to two other sites on the tour. At the Golden Galaxy Casino in Bavet city, Svay Rieng province, police arrested the registered owner and two alleged scam organisers during an operation on April 7. They were named as owner Hong Seung GI and tenants Le Van Nguyen and Nguyen Van Vinh, with the fact sheet calling Nguyen and Vinh senior figures in the scam operations. All three are being held in pretrial detention at Svay Rieng Provincial Prison.

The document said 244 people were detained at the location: 182 Vietnamese, 49 Chinese, nine South Koreans and four Cambodians, including 63 women. Those subject to immigration procedures were handed over to the General Department of Immigration, and the compound was sealed. Investigators seized 151 computers, 505 mobile phones, passports, SIM cards and other documents.

In Prey Veng province, authorities took down the Legend Innovation compound, also known as 8 Park or Meun Chey Commercial City, in February. The government fact sheet described the property as a subsidiary of Prince Group and named Brandon Luo and Lin He Jiang as registered owners, with Eang Sok Lim as their representative.

Eang Sok Lim, 39, was identified by authorities as an alleged ringleader and is being held in pretrial detention at Phnom Penh's PJ Prison. Computers, servers, mobile phones, SIM cards, passports, work permits and other papers were seized from the site.

The provincial unified command launched the operation in early February and had broken up the alleged scam operation by mid-month. An investigating judge carried out a search on April 3, after which the premises were fully sealed.

Conference to follow

Asnarith said the tour was meant to showcase what the government describes as its political commitment, enforcement mechanisms and practical steps for tackling online scams. It also aimed to send a message to audiences at home and abroad about Cambodia's work to eradicate scam operations and contribute to the global fight against the crime.

The tour came just ahead of the International Conference on Combating Online Scams, set for Phnom Penh on September 23 and 24 under the theme "Acting Together towards Breaking the Chain and Eradication of Online Scams". Prime Minister Hun Manet is due to give the keynote address at the opening ceremony.

Representatives from several ASEAN countries, the ASEAN Secretariat, Interpol, the FBI, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and other international bodies are expected to attend, according to the conference programme released on September 21.

The two-day meeting will treat online scams as a global emergency and cover regional and international responses, technology-based prevention and cyber resilience, as well as the progress and challenges facing individual countries. It is scheduled to close with the adoption of an outcome document on September 24.