Provincial police on Thursday raided two locations in Siem Reap suspected of running online gambling rings, arresting 163 Chinese nationals, including 40 women. Authorities confiscated around 150 computers in the operations in Svay Dangkum commune.

Siem Reap provincial deputy police chief in charge of Immigration Chea Kimsan told The Post on Thursday that the operation had been carried out in collaboration between the provincial court deputy prosecutor, investigators, Intervention Bureau forces and local authorities.

The operation was carried out after a three-week probe.

Kimsan said the 163 were sent to provincial police headquarters for questioning.

“Procedures are being followed by senior leadership. We have questioned the Chinese nationals, and the prosecution will deliberate on whether they will be deported,” he said.

He said proceedings would take around two days due to the scale of the operation and the number of those arrested.

He said the suspects would either be sent to the provincial court or to the Ministry of Interior for deportation.

Kimsan remained tightlipped as to whether there were further online gambling rings involving Chinese nationals under investigation.

“I cannot say whether there are other cases being looked into. I cannot disclose such information as it could jeopardise possible future investigations. Online gambling rackets are illegal, and there are clear reports before we open investigations,” he said.

The Ministry of Interior has said that from the start of the year to March 23, 144 Chinese nationals have been deported by authorities for crimes including involvement in internet scams and online gambling rings, prostitution, the sexual exploitation of underage girls and staying in the Kingdom without passports.