BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s anti-fraud agency identified a new cyber-scam stronghold in Cambodia operated by gangs that had relocated from Myanmar under law-enforcement pressure.
New cybercrime base identified in Cambodia
Thailand’s Anti-Scam Coordination Center (ACSC) reported that a newly established headquarters for large-scale cyber fraud had been located in Malai, in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province. The site lay about 50 kilometers from the border town of Poipet, placing it out of easy reach of rapid raids.
The gangs had constructed a two-storey building with separate office and residential areas near Malai Park. According to the ACSC, expansion of the complex was already under way.
Purpose-built “fortress” for mass online scams
An ACSC insider described the facility as a professional setup tailored for industrial-scale illegal activity.
“The structure is professional and designed for large-scale illegal operations.”
said an ACSC insider.
The center warned that the situation had become increasingly serious and complex. It stressed that the international community now needed to respond collectively.
International workforce under Chinese command
According to the ACSC, staff at the Malai compound came from several countries, including Thailand, India and Indonesia. Operational control was said to rest with Chinese nationals.
Their business model focused on defrauding people worldwide through sophisticated online schemes. The ACSC said the relocation underlined how cyber-fraud networks adapted quickly to enforcement pressure.
Shift from Myanmar after joint raids
The move into Cambodia was described as a direct reaction to joint crackdowns. Authorities from Thailand and China, working with Myanmar officials, had previously raided scam centers in Shwe Kokko and the KK Park area.
The gangs then sought a safer haven deeper inside Cambodian territory to avoid further disruption. One key motive was to sidestep tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border.
“They feel safer there and can operate without disturbance.”
said Thai cyber experts.
Warnings for internet users
The ACSC announced plans to discuss measures to shield Thai citizens in particular from attacks originating from Malai. It reiterated traditional red flags such as unexpected prize notifications, pressure for immediate payment and supposed calls from officials.
Users were urged to be highly suspicious of contacts via unknown messenger groups or unsolicited investment tips. The center emphasized that basic vigilance remained crucial despite the growing sophistication of the scams.
Cross-border challenge demands joint action
Thailand’s police called on the global community to ensure that no country provided safe haven for such illegal and harmful operations. Officials said the relocation to Malai illustrated how the fight against cybercrime had turned into a cross-border cat-and-mouse game.
Future raids were expected to be more difficult because the new “fortress” was located far from the frontier and well protected. Authorities warned that the battle against transnational cyber-fraud had entered a new phase.