Early this morning, Phnom Penh Police Chief Chuon Narin headed over to the city police evidence warehouse. After a series of intense raids on online scam dens across the capital, he wanted to personally inspect and count everything seized during the sweeps.
The warehouse was packed. Officials didn't go through an itemized list, but anyone following local news knows what usually comes out of these compound busts: rows of computers, tables piled with smartphones, stacks of SIM cards, and all sorts of network equipment. Gear that was once hidden inside rented apartments and guarded compounds across town has now been boxed up and hauled into police custody.
The heat on cybercrime has been hard to miss lately. Police cars are a frequent sight on the streets, and over iced coffee at roadside stalls, people are gossiping about which building got hit next. Rental apartments that used to be lit up and busy late into the night have suddenly gone dark. The chief’s personal check on the warehouse is a clear sign that this campaign still has plenty of momentum behind it.
