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Thai Army Displays Evidence From Seized O'Smach Scam Hub on Cambodian Border

A guided tour of staged police rooms sought to underscore claims of mass coercion in a cross‑border fraud machine.

Scam compounds, which the Thai military said were used for scam operations in the O'Smach area at the Chong Chom–O’Smach border crossing, following clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area, in Samraong, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, February 2, 2026. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
Scam compounds, which the Thai military said were used for scam operations in the O'Smach area at the Chong Chom–O’Smach border crossing, following clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area, in Samraong, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, February 2, 2026. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
A room set up to imitate a Chinese police station inside the O'Smach casino, a compound used for scam operations at the Chong Chom-O'Smach border crossing, following clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area, in Samraong, Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, February 2, 2026. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
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Overview

  • Thai officers escorted journalists through a six‑storey building strewn with scripts, target lists and other documents said to map out large‑scale scams.
  • Seized material included 871 SIM cards, dozens of smartphones, counterfeit police insignia and police uniforms, according to the military.
  • Rooms were built to resemble police offices from multiple countries, with Singapore police noting a facade resembling a neighbourhood police centre.
  • Thai officials said thousands were held and forced to perpetrate fraud, while experts describe similar networks as stealing billions worldwide.
  • Thai troops continue to occupy the Cambodian‑side compound under a December ceasefire, as Phnom Penh disputes Thailand’s justification and touts a crackdown pledged to eliminate scams before April.