Law and Crime

Laos Arrests More Than 550 in August Scam Crackdown

Laos has detained more than 550 people in raids targeting online scams and illegal gambling operations so far in August, as authorities step up a nationwide crackdown that has now netted more than 1,100 suspects since mid-July. The latest figures come after a series of raids across Vientiane Capital and...

Laos Seizes Nearly 1.8 Tonnes of Suspected Ivory, Black Panther Remains in Bolikhamxay Raid

On 16 August, Lao authorities detained 11 foreign nationals in connection with a wildlife...

Vientiane Authorities Detain Nearly 400 in Cybercrime Raids in Early-to-Mid August

Vientiane authorities have detained nearly 400 suspects in three separate raids since the start...

Laos Authorities Arrest Four in Alleged Marriage Trafficking Network

On 23 July, Lao authorities arrested four people suspected of operating a human trafficking...

Police Detain 261 Foreign Nationals in Thatluang Lake SEZ Scam Raid

On 8 August, Vientiane police raided a telecommunications fraud and online gambling operation at...

China Executes 11 Linked to Myanmar Scam Compounds

AFP - China on 29 January executed 11 people linked to Myanmar criminal gangs, including "key members" involved in telecom scam operations, state media...

Lao National Arrested in Major Drug Trafficking Crackdown in Central Thailand

Thai authorities have arrested a Lao national and four Thai suspects in a major drug trafficking operation, seizing more than 2.5 million methamphetamine pills...

Thai Police Arrest Two Lao Nationals, Seize Over 800,000 Meth Pills

On 21 January, Thai authorities arrested two Lao nationals and seized more than 800,000 methamphetamine tablets in a major crackdown on a transnational drug...

Lao Authorities Seize Nearly 50 Kilograms of Illegal Wildlife Products in Luang Prabang and Vientiane

In December 2025, the authorities confiscated wildlife products and parts totaling nearly 50 kilograms across multiple locations in Luang Prabang Province and Vientiane Capital,...

Laos Introduces Fines for Damaging, Misusing Banknotes

The Lao government began enforcing new rules on the use and handling of banknotes on 20 February, introducing fines for damaging or misusing cash...

Over 400 Indonesians Released by Cambodian Scam Networks, Ambassador Says

By Suy Se with Dessy Sagita in Jakarta and Matt Surrusco in Bangkok/AFP - Cyberscam networks in Cambodia have freed more than 400 Indonesians...