Illegal online gaming in Cambodia is not a thing of the past, despite renewed efforts by law enforcement to quash the industry.
According to the Khmer Times, at the end of November some 233 foreigners were rounded up and detained in Sihanoukville, a hotbed of the country’s gaming industry, in Preah Sihanouk Province. Provincial Police Chief Major General Chuon Narin said several illegal Vietnamese workers were deported.
“The rest, mostly Chinese nationals, are still being held in Sihanoukville for questioning and to assist in investigations,” he said. “One group of Chinese has been sent to the General Department of Immigration in Phnom Penh for action to be taken.
“These foreigners are involved in illegal online gambling, but they are not involved in human trafficking and sex trafficking. We are continuing with our investigations and we plan to send the offenders to court soon,” he said.
Major Gen Narin said the alleged offenders were identified in a three-day sting by local law enforcement officers. “They surrounded the building and searched a commercial building located in Muoy village, Bei commune, Sihanoukville, after a tip-off was received to the hotline of the National Police on November 29.”
“We found 233 foreigners on the premises and five Chinese nationals were found on the third floor of the building,” he said, and added that the foreign workers “were not tortured or abused.”
The crackdown was ordered by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen after reports of human trafficking within the illegal industry.
Long Dimanche, Preah Sihanouk Provincial Deputy Governor, claimed the operation has been a complete success. “All cases have been closed,” he said. “The situation in Sihanoukville has returned to normal, and what remains today are legitimate businesses. However, if we are informed of even a single case, we will immediately take action.”
The Times reported that the criminal organizations “disguise themselves as private companies operating online services in investment zones,” then “dupe their victims from outside of Cambodia through online advertisements promising lucrative jobs.” The job-seekers arrive only to be forced into online gaming operations, often for long hours at low wages. Some are subjected to abuse, abduction and extortion.
Interior Minister Sar Kheng says driving criminals out of Sihanoukville may only cause them to set up shop elsewhere.
