Former Cambodian scam compound is now under Thai military control, AP explains

Описание: (2 Feb 2026)
RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
O'Smach, Cambodia - 2 February 2026
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Tian Macleod Ji, Associated Press:
"I'm stepping in what looks to be like a bank branch of a Vietnamese bank. There's a logo, there are pictures on the wall, there's signage everywhere. But this isn't a bank in Vietnam, I'm not even in Vietnam. This is the site of a major, now-deserted scam centre in Cambodia. It's called the O'Smach Resort. It's now under Thai control. It was targeted in the Thailand-Cambodia conflict that broke out last year because it was believed to be a Cambodian military base. But it also is a major scam operation, or rather it was. I'm stepping into a room now and you can see the lengths they've gone to. This resembles the office of a bank manager where you might expect to meet with such a person when you step into the branch. There's a check-in desk opposite me. You can even see behind me a green-seated waiting area so no efforts have been spared in attempting to give the illusion of a real bank."
2. Various of room made to look like a Vietnamese bank
3. Various driving shots entering O'Smach scam compound, debris all around

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Surin, Thailand - 2 February 2026
4. Various of debrief with foreign military attaches in Surin, Thailand

ASSOCIATED PRESS
O'Smach, Cambodia - 2 February 2026
5. Various of scam compound, damage inside
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Tian Macleod Ji, Associated Press:
"We've been allowed access today, and on this visit there are various military attaches from countries all around the world, their embassies in Bangkok. France, Canada, the US, Germany, Pakistan, and that just goes to show the global scale of scam operations such as these. The Thai army tell us that in this area there aren't any that are currently in operation, this one is certainly deserted. Whilst we do not know if it was the site of an attack, there's extensive damage everywhere. You can see areas of the ceiling missing, glass blown out from the windows all over the ground. But this is just one example of a scam operation which attempts to create various locations from around the world and to often great effect."
7. Various exteriors of deserted and destroyed scam compound
8. Various of Thai soldiers outside of scam compound buildings
STORYLINE:
In the town of O’Smach, along Cambodia’s norther border with Thailand, stands a sprawling compound of abandoned buildings heavily battered by shelling during combat during almost three weeks of armed clashes.

The Associated Press was among a small group of media invited to join a Thai army-organized tour on Monday of the now-deserted O'Smach Resort scam compound.

The site, now occupied by Thai troops, had served as one of Cambodia’s notorious scam centres, according to Thai officials and experts in transnational crime.

One of the compound's buildings, shown to members of the media and international delegates was found scattered with documents, equipment, and personal belongings, suggesting it had been abandoned in haste.

Inside dozens of rooms were wooden phone booths lined with foam for soundproofing, scripts written in multiple languages, lists of names and phone numbers, computer monitors and empty brackets for hard drives.

There are also mock-up sets resembling police stations and uniforms of law enforcement of at least seven countries: China, Australia, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and Brazil.

One room has a replica of what appears to be a Vietnamese bank branch.

Tian Macleod Ji, of the Associated Press, said the room even contained a front desk and seating area.

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