Cambodian authorities raided two locations in Poipet town and discovered a total of 230 foreigners, (68 of them women), conducting illegal online scamming operations.

A February 24 statement by the Ministry of Interior said that on February 22 and 23, the Command for Research, Investigation and Suppression of All Types of Crime conducted a physical inspection of two locations in Banteay Meanchey province’s Samaki Meanchey village, in Poipet town.

Both locations had been under surveillance for more than three months, it noted.

“Among the 230 foreigners, the masterminds are Chinese, and 123 are Thai citizens, 59 of them women. The National Police will request cooperation from their Thai counterparts for further action,” added the statement.

The authorities of both countries are working together to identify the leaders of the operation, and will seek to arrest them.

“For other foreigners, authorities are investigating and taking action in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia,” said the statement.

On the same day, February 23, a joint Cambodian-Thai police operation rescued 215 victims, including 109 Thais, from a scam call centre scam in Poipet.

The authorities are continuing to investigate the case, in order to identify the perpetrators and victims.