Amnesty alleges Cambodian police and military officers worked as guards at scam compounds

Cambodian police and military officers worked as private security guards inside scam compounds, Amnesty International alleged in a report published on 29 October 2026. The organisation said some of those compounds held people who were forced to work in online fraud.

Scam compounds are large walled complexes where people are made to carry out internet-based fraud schemes. Amnesty said its investigation drew on 151 interviews with survivors, visits to 82 compounds, and social media videos posted by dozens of guards' accounts. The report, titled 'Official Business: Security companies and authorities at scamming compounds in Cambodia', linked the compound operations to five private security companies.

One of those firms, Leap Somnang, was linked by Amnesty to at least 15 compounds across eight provinces. Twelve survivors identified Leap Somnang's guards, uniforms or logo, the organisation said. Amnesty said the company is believed to be controlled by Ban Sophat, who publicly served as its chair while also holding the rank of colonel in the armed forces.

Ban Sophat denied holding any ownership, director or management role in Leap Somnang. He said he served as an adviser to the company owner.

Amnesty also said it identified more than 20 members of the military and police with an active presence at the compounds, including some who worked openly as guards.

Survivors described serious abuses. According to the accounts Amnesty reported, guards administered electric shocks and beatings, and detained people in what survivors called "dark rooms." Survivors also described guards standing watch while compound managers raped women.

The allegations come after a period of official action against the sites. In June 2026, Amnesty said dozens of suspected scam compounds in Cambodia were still operating despite a months-long crackdown by authorities. The organisation said the crackdown had failed to dismantle the vast majority of sites in the country.

Earlier in 2026, Amnesty reported that thousands of people who had recently escaped or been released from scam compounds in Cambodia had suffered grave abuses, including murder, rape and torture. In July, Reuters reported from inside one scam complex that it contained fake police-station sets and soundproof call booths.