Thai Military Uncovers Major Scam Compound in Cambodia

O'Smach, Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia — Thai military forces have recently unearthed a significant scam compound during border clashes late last year. The facility, located on Cambodian soil, was meticulously designed to resemble official premises, featuring rooms styled as offices for various international police forces, including Australia's Federal Police (AFP), China, Singapore, Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. A particularly detailed mock-up of a Chinese police station was also found within the complex.

Compound Operations and Scale Revealed

Upon seizing the compound, the Thai military reported discovering extensive evidence of transnational fraud. The facility was reportedly home to thousands of individuals, many of whom were identified as victims of human trafficking, forced into participating in scamming activities. Documents recovered from the site appeared to contain lists of potential targets and their contact details.

Lieutenant General Teeranan Nandhakwang, director of the Thai army's intelligence unit, stated that the scammers exhibited strong organization, infrastructure, systems, workflows, and diverse tactics.

The compound had a history as a military base for Cambodian forces. Following a ceasefire in December, both countries agreed to return to their prior positions, with Thai troops currently occupying the facility despite its location in Cambodia.

Scammer Tactics and International Reach

Experts describe how these staged offices serve as "studios" for video calls, designed to bolster the scammers' credibility with their targets. Ivan Franceschini, an academic from the University of Melbourne researching South-East Asian scam operations, noted that these sets are meticulously crafted to align with a target's perception of a legitimate police station.

Scammers impersonate police officers to defraud individuals across a wide array of countries, including Australia, China, India, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brazil. Hai Luong, a criminology researcher at Griffith University, explained that these scam centers "weaponize" trust in police officials, effectively transforming state authority into a tool for organized crime.

Law Enforcement Response and Public Warnings

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) had previously issued public warnings in November regarding scammers impersonating their officers to solicit cryptocurrency from Australians. These fraudulent schemes often involved fabricated ReportCyber reports and personal information, likely obtained through data breaches.

An AFP spokesperson confirmed that AFP officers in Cambodia are actively collaborating with local authorities, including the Cambodian National Police, to dismantle scam centers targeting Australians. The AFP strongly emphasized that its officers will never:

• Contact individuals via video call.
• Request money.
• Demand immediate action over the phone.
• Ask to verify personal or banking details.

The AFP advises anyone contacted by individuals claiming to be from the AFP to:

• Stop all communication immediately.
• Refrain from transferring funds or providing financial information.
• Notify their bank if funds were transferred or sensitive information was shared.
• Report the incident to the police.