CAMBODIA — Authorities have arrested Kuong Li, owner of the notorious Huang Le scam compound, on charges including illegal recruitment for exploitation, aggravated fraud, organized crime, and money laundering. The alleged offenses are reported to have taken place in Cambodia and internationally since 2019.
Kuong Li was detained last week and will remain in custody pending further legal proceedings. The arrest follows years of scrutiny into the Huang Le compound, which gained international attention through the BBC documentary, “The Pig Butchering Romance Scam.”
The documentary followed “Didi,” a Chinese national who claimed he was trafficked into Cambodia and forced to work at the walled compound, targeting victims in Europe and the United States. Secretly recorded footage from Didi and the Global Anti-Scam Organization revealed that employees were restricted from leaving the complex.
Investigations identified Kuong Li as the owner of the compound and reported that his business empire spanned real estate, casinos, hotels, and construction companies. Previously, he had been awarded the royal honorific title “Oknha” and had appeared alongside senior officials at public events.
Cambodian authorities have conducted raids in at least five provinces, arresting over 1,000 potential suspects by July 2025. Between 2025 and mid-January 2026, courts handled 37 major cases, resulting in the conviction of 172 ringleaders and accomplices.
Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted the growing threat of online scams in Cambodia, emphasizing their impact on national and regional security. Experts estimate cybercrime now accounts for as much as 60% of Cambodia’s formal GDP, generating between $12.5 billion and $19 billion annually.
After the 2023 BBC documentary aired, Cambodian authorities initially dismissed the allegations against Kuong Li as “groundless.” His recent arrest suggests authorities may now be taking steps to address these organized cybercrime networks.
