New Naturalization Records Tie Cambodian Elite To Transnational Crime Syndicates Amid Claims Of Government Ignorance

New records reveal deep ties between Cambodia's ruling family and the Prince Group, complicating PM Hun Manet's claims of ignorance regarding scam operations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 8:20 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Diplomat

A Web of Citizenship and Corporate Ties

The Cambodian government’s efforts to distance itself from transnational crime rings are facing renewed scrutiny following the release of naturalization records. These documents reveal that several key executives within the Prince Group, a massive conglomerate under international investigation for its alleged role in online scamming and money laundering, were granted Cambodian citizenship through high level decrees. These records complicate the "plausible deniability" strategy utilized by the administration of Prime Minister Hun Manet, as the proximity between these business figures and the ruling elite becomes increasingly documented.

Boardroom Connections and Family Ties

The investigation highlights the role of Hun To, a nephew of former Prime Minister Hun Sen and cousin to the current Prime Minister, whose boardroom associations have drawn significant attention. While the government maintains that it is aggressively cracking down on illegal scam centers, critics argue that the entrenched relationships between the Prince Group and the Hun family suggest a "protected" status for certain business interests. The presence of these individuals in official state circles raises questions about the government’s true capacity or willingness to dismantle the infrastructure of organized crime within its borders.

The Regional Impact of Scam Operations

Southeast Asia has become a global epicenter for cyber slavery and online fraud, with thousands of individuals trafficked into guarded compounds to conduct scam operations. Cambodia has been at the forefront of this crisis, facing intense pressure from neighboring countries and international bodies to secure its borders and regulate its booming casino and real estate sectors. The latest findings suggest that the very entities suspected of fueling these operations are deeply intertwined with the country’s political architecture, making a clean break from the illicit economy a monumental challenge for the current leadership.