The United States has praised Cambodia as a reliable and professional partner following joint efforts to arrest and deport an American citizen accused of multiple criminal offences.
In a statement posted on Facebook on February 11, 2026, the US Embassy in Phnom Penh thanked Cambodian authorities for what it described as strong and professional cooperation. The embassy said the case sends a clear message that individuals attempting to evade justice will ultimately be identified and held accountable under the law.
According to the statement, special agents from the Diplomatic Security Service, assigned to the Overseas Criminal Investigations unit at the US Embassy in Cambodia, successfully coordinated the operation. The American suspect had been wanted in the United States in connection with several alleged crimes, including illegal weapons possession and other serious offences, some of them related to narcotics.
The embassy said its agents located the individual in Cambodia and worked closely with local authorities to arrange the arrest and deportation. The suspect was then returned to the United States under the custody of deputies from the US Marshals Service.
The development comes amid a broader crackdown by Cambodian authorities on online crime.
On February 5, 2026, the Ministry of Interior announced a renewed campaign to eliminate online criminal activity by April 2026. Officials said Cambodia has been affected by online fraud schemes for an extended period and is determined to address the issue decisively.
In a separate statement released on February 11, 2026, the General Department of Immigration reported that on February 8, it deported more than 300 Chinese nationals, 312 in total, over their alleged involvement in online scam operations.
The same report stated that since February 1, 2026, Cambodia has expelled 4,015 foreign nationals linked to online fraud cases. Among those removed was an American citizen deported on February 6 in connection with illegal entry and unlawful employment in Cambodia.
The series of actions highlights increased cooperation between Cambodian authorities and international partners as the country seeks to tackle transnational crime and online scams that have drawn growing regional and global concern.
