An Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) investigation into a senior customs official in Koh Kong found over $1 million in suspected bribe payments, including links to online scam operations–an action applauded by a civil society group for the government’s effort in fighting corruption.
The arrest of Mao Sansona, a customs deputy chief of Andoung Toek Customs and Excise Checkpoint in Koh Kong province, comes as ACU chief Om Yentieng said that they have the authority to investigate “without exception,” including their own officers. The investigations have led to about 10 ACU officers being sent to court to face corruption charges recently.
Sansona, 56, was arrested by the ACU and military police on February 27 on allegations of taking bribes from Chinese businessmen transporting goods through the Cambodian-Thai border checkpoint.
Fresh News, a media outlet aligned with the government, published details of Sansona’s corruption case, reporting that investigators uncovered more than $1 million in illicit funds after questioning him over alleged extortion of goods drivers along National Road 48.
He is alleged to have communicated with Chinese operators linked to an online scam network and agreed to facilitate the safe transport of 7,000 phones and 200 computers to Poipet city in exchange for $3,500.
Investigators said between April 2, 2024, and February 21, 2026, he demanded and received illegal payments amounting to $801,712 from many goods transportation vehicles that crossed the checkpoint. About $300,000 was found in his bank account, which he allegedly hid for a period of time to withdraw later.
The ACU added that Sansona did not only use his personal bank account, but also those belonging to his brother, wife, and children to receive illicit payments.
An online publication also revealed that ACU officers arrested a few of their men, including Choem Oun with the investigations and intelligence department, his assistant and a former ACU contract officer for alleged abuse of power and misconduct, illegal possession of assets and complicity, for accepting bribes of $20,000 to “close cases” involving Sansona.
Meanwhile, 112 National Assembly members approved a draft on anti-online scam on Monday, which was developed following the high-profile sanctioning and extradition to China of alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi, a former advisor to Prime Minister Hun Manet. The latter said he was unaware that Chen was allegedly running online scam networks across Cambodia.
A 2024 report by the United States Institute of Peace estimated that online scam operations in Cambodia generated more than $12.5 billion annually, roughly half the country’s gross domestic product. The government has denied profiting from scam operations. An ongoing nationwide crackdown, dubbed Operation XXL, aims to “eliminate” scam centers by April.
When contacted, ACU spokesperson Soy Chanvichet referred CamboJA News to local media reports, as well as information on ACU’s Facebook page of a meeting on March 25.
Transparency International executive director Sin Putheary said she supported the fight against corruption as Cambodia follows the rule of law where its implementation is “very important”, particularly in the combat of corruption in society.
