PHNOM PENH, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The number of suspects arrested in crackdowns on online scam centers in Cambodia has increased to 2,767, Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said on Sunday.

Pheaktra, who is also a member of the Ad-Hoc Committee to Combat Online Scams, said the authorities have raided a total of 52 locations in 15 cities and provinces out of the kingdom's 25 cities and provinces.

"After the Royal Government issued a strict order to crack down on online scams, as of July 19, 2025, the authorities in cities and provinces had detained a total of 2,767 suspects," he said in a text message sent to the media by telegram.

Pheaktra said some suspected ringleaders have been sent to courts for prosecution, as most of the suspects will be deported back to their birth countries.

The Southeast Asian country launched an unprecedented nationwide crackdown on cyber scam networks on July 14, aiming to maintain and protect security, public order, and social safety.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has ordered the armed forces to be prepared to give support to these crackdown operations and warned to dismiss any officials who hinder these operations.

The Ministry of Justice said it had suspended one deputy prosecutor of the Pursat Provincial Court pending a probe after he released several online scam suspects. ■