Cambodia arrests nearly 600 suspects in illegal gambling crackdown

• Law enforcement agencies executed an operation against illegal online gambling in Poipet City
• The massive operation saw police detain a total of 591 suspects, most of whom foreign nationals
• Police detained the suspected ringleader, a Thai national

An illegal online gambling syndicate in Cambodia was taken down after a police raid Sunday. The operation resulted in the arrest of hundreds of suspects.

591 suspects arrested

The latest police operation took place at a 30-floor building located in Poipet City, Banteay Meanchey province, the local media outlet, the Khmer Times, reports.

The large-scale operation against illegal gambling was conducted by the National Police in collaboration with the Banteay Meanchey Unified Command.

Representatives of the provincial court played a vital role in the large-scale online gambling raid, which was ordered by the Commissioner-General of the National Police, Gen. San Thet.

Notably, close to 600 suspects were detained, the majority of whom were foreigners.

Photos of the police operation show large office spaces packed with computers, monitors, and smartphones.

The gambling crackdown photos also show hundreds of suspects lying on the ground while officers guard the area and collect evidence.

In total, 591 people, suspected of being involved in online gambling, were detained.

Most of the suspects are Indonesians, 518, while 51 Cambodians and 22 Thai nationals were also arrested.

The illegal gambling crackdown resulted in the arrest of the suspected mastermind, a Thai national. No name or age was confirmed for the alleged illegal gambling ringleader.

It is yet to be seen what charges the suspects may face.

If charged and found guilty of illegal gambling in Cambodia, suspects receive fines, short-term imprisonment, or administrative penalties as punishment.

However, cases of large-scale illegal gambling operations may result in tougher punishment and additional charges such as organized crime and money laundering.

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