The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that the new task force will coordinate across multiple ministries and agencies, implementing measures such as enhanced digital surveillance and the suspension of websites and business licenses tied to illegal operations. The government pledged to target criminal masterminds, protect victims, and “preserve order, peace, and dignity.”

Although the statement did not directly reference the recent US and UK sanctions against Prince Holding Group, its founder Chen Zhi, and associated entities, it acknowledged that criminal networks in Cambodia often operate across borders, exploiting encrypted communications and digital currencies. Authorities noted that such networks blur the lines between victims and perpetrators, often through deceptive cross-border recruitment schemes.

“The government’s message to criminals who exploit technology and borders will be met with an equally connected and coordinated response,” the ministry said, emphasizing that Cambodia’s approach to cybercrime will focus on “cooperation, not blame.”

The announcement follows an escalating wave of international concern after the US Department of State and the US Treasury declared Prince Holding Group a transnational criminal organization. US prosecutors have also filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking 127,271 Bitcoin—valued at around $15 billion – as alleged proceeds of fraud and money laundering linked to Chen Zhi, marking the largest forfeiture claim in US Department of Justice history.

Recent high-profile incidents have further heightened pressure on Cambodian authorities. The murder of a South Korean student near Bokor Mountain in Kampot, reportedly by members of Chinese-run online scam operations, triggered outrage in South Korea and prompted a travel advisory warning citizens of risks when visiting Cambodia. That case, coupled with the arrest and deportation of more than 60 South Koreans allegedly employed by scam syndicates, led to a bilateral agreement between the two countries to cooperate on combating transnational cybercrime.

The Cambodian government says it has already taken decisive administrative action, including revoking 120 business licenses, suspending over 1,000 gambling-related websites, and freezing bank accounts tied to digital fraud operations. Enhanced cooperation with foreign embassies has also facilitated the identification and repatriation of victims, as well as intelligence sharing on regional cybercrime groups.

Authorities reported multiple targeted operations nationwide, resulting in the closure of illegal compounds, the arrest of hundreds of suspects, and the rescue of both Cambodian and foreign victims of online exploitation. To strengthen its response, Cambodia plans to expand its digital forensics capabilities and enhance cross-border enforcement partnerships. Officials said these steps underscore the government’s “firm commitment to eradicating online crimes, safeguarding digital integrity, and promoting a safer regional cyberspace.”