Cambodia shows scam bases to media

The Cambodian government has shown media scam bases and items investigators seized from them.

One base, near the border with Vietnam, occupies a space of about 1.2 square kilometers. It resembles a town, complete with restaurants.

Inside the facility, computer monitors sat on desks.

One section was labeled "Singapore police." Cambodian officials said a criminal group is believed to have carried out fraud under the guise of that police force.

Local authorities and other officials say the base was operated by the Cambodian conglomerate Prince Holding Group, which is subject to sanctions by US authorities as one of Asia's largest international criminal organizations. They say up to 20,000 foreigners, including Chinese, Vietnamese and Indian nationals, were based there.

Meanwhile, many items of evidence, including smartphones and PCs, seized from fraud bases in the country were displayed at a police station in the capital, Phnom Penh.

They included fake Japanese police uniforms and notebooks, as well as notes written in Japanese containing the names, addresses and other information of Japanese people believed to have been targeted by criminal groups.

Police also found AI software that can transform facial images, showing how sophisticated fraud methods have become.

A senior investigator said improving technology is the top priority for effectively cracking down on the scams.