Raid in Bavet: Over 2,000 Phones Seized in Holiday Home

• 2,000 phones seized. Bavet authorities confiscated over 2,000 mobile phones used for online scam operations.
• Holiday home turned scam center. The raid took place in a holiday home serving as a base for fraudulent activities.
• Local cooperation. The operation was conducted by Bavet authorities in collaboration with Svay Rieng province.
• Several suspects arrested. Arrests were made, but the exact number has not been disclosed.
• No direct link to Siem Reap. No indication that the operation is related to activities in the Siem Reap area.

The raid is part of a series of crackdowns on online scams in Cambodia. Here are the key steps:

1. Early 2026: Svay Rieng authorities intensify surveillance of suspicious activities in the Bavet border area.
2. May 2026: Information emerges about a holiday home used as a fraudulent call center.
3. June 4, 2026: Coordinated raid: search of the home, seizure of over 2,000 phones, and arrest of suspects.
4. Next steps: Ongoing investigation to identify networks and victims. Seized phones will be analyzed.

Available information does not allow a detailed breakdown by province or nationality. However, the table below summarizes known elements:

• No direct impact on security in Siem Reap, but it highlights the existence of scam networks in Cambodia.
• Expats should remain vigilant against suspicious calls or messages, even if not from Siem Reap.
• Cambodian authorities show determination to combat these activities, which may improve overall security.
• If you travel or work near the Vietnamese border (Bavet), be especially cautious.
• This operation may deter new scam centers from setting up in other regions, including Siem Reap.

1. Do not answer unsolicited calls or messages. Scammers often use unknown or spoofed numbers.
2. Never disclose personal or banking information over the phone. Legitimate authorities never ask for such data by call.
3. Report any suspicious calls to local authorities. In Siem Reap, contact the police station or tourist police hotline.
4. Use anti-spam apps and block suspicious numbers. Apps like Truecaller can help.
5. Inform your expat network. Share security alerts via community WhatsApp or Telegram groups.
6. Verify sources before transferring money. When in doubt, contact the organization directly through an official channel.