Cambodia's Anti-Corruption Unit Makes First Crypto Seizure in Scam Network Case
Cambodia's Anti-Corruption Unit has recorded the country's first-ever cryptocurrency seizure, confiscating more than $50,000 from domestic digital wallets tied to an extensive online scam network in Koh Kong province, the Khmer Times reported on October 2. ACU President Om Yentieng announced the step at a National Council Against Corruption meeting.
The wider investigation revealed a wallet held by a Chinese operator containing about $250 million. The crackdown exposed links between fraudulent crypto investment schemes, unauthorised money exchanges and official corruption, and court charges have been brought against a local commune chief, police officers and scam leaders.
Authorities also carried out extensive digital forensics on hundreds of seized phones, SIM cards and computers. Cambodia has been under sustained international pressure over scam compounds, and Prime Minister Hun Manet has repeatedly pledged to eradicate online scam centres to restore the country's investment image.
For the Chinese community in Cambodia, cases linking cryptocurrency to fraud carry particular sensitivity. The commune chief, police officers and scam leaders named in the investigation have been charged in court, and the inquiry is continuing.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 实体比特币纪念币特写，摄影：佚名，CC0，来源：Wikimedia Commons（File:2014 Pure Gold Physical Bitcoin China Mint.jpg）
