Cambodian authorities deported 721 foreign nationals, including 95 women, representing 20 nationalities, over a 10-day period from October 11, as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and transnational crime.
The deportations were carried out under the leadership and directives of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha, with Lt Gen Sok Veasna, Director-General of the General Department of Immigration, assigning the Department of Investigation and Procedures to continue implementing deportation procedures.
The deported foreign nationals came from Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Nigeria, Pakistan, Cameroon, Japan, Ghana, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, Uganda, India, Myanmar, France, Liberia, Switzerland, Uzbekistan and the United States.
Among those deported, 90 Chinese nationals, including three women, were linked to online scams and were deported on a special flight.
Another 355 Indonesian nationals, including 54 women, who were also involved in online scam activities, were deported through Techo International Airport.
The remaining foreign nationals were deported through international border checkpoints after authorities identified various offences, including illegal border crossings, document forgery, staying without passports, extortion and kidnapping for ransom, using fake visas or QR codes, drug trafficking and drug use, illegal employment and other criminal offences.
The operation forms part of the strict enforcement of laws and measures ordered by Prime Minister Hun Manet, who has repeatedly affirmed that Cambodia will not allow criminals or illegal actors to use Cambodian territory as a base for online scams or other offences that threaten regional and global security.
The Prime Minister has called on authorities to continue cracking down on criminal activities and deporting offenders without exception to protect Cambodia’s national security and reputation.
Under the direct guidance of Sokha, law enforcement agencies have continued efforts to eliminate online scam operations, investigate and arrest the masterminds, and rescue victims who were deceived or trafficked into such activities, helping them regain their freedom and return home safely.
