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Cambodia deported 52,039 foreign nationals from 87 countries, including more than 3,000 Bangladeshis, during the first nine months of 2026 as part of a crackdown on online scam operations, according to a report citing the country’s immigration authorities.
The information was released on Wednesday by Anirban Survivor Voice Foundation, citing a report published on Tuesday by Cambodia-based BTV News Global, which referred to official data from the General Department of Immigration.
According to the report, Cambodian authorities conducted 3,104 operations between January and September this year, leading to the detention and deportation of 52,039 foreign nationals.
The number of deportations increased by 41,685 compared with the same period in 2025, representing a rise of more than 400 per cent.
Among those deported were nearly 23,000 Chinese nationals, more than 8,000 Indonesians, over 4,000 Vietnamese and more than 3,000 Bangladeshis. The list also included over 2,500 Pakistanis, around 2,000 Myanmar nationals and more than 1,500 Thai citizens.
The report said more than 18,000 foreign nationals from 38 countries were identified as being directly involved in online scam activities.
However, no separate figures were provided on how many of the deported Bangladeshis had been victims of human trafficking and forced into criminal activities.
Anirban Survivor Voice Foundation, which works to rescue and protect trafficking survivors, called for an independent assessment to determine how many deported Bangladeshis were victims of trafficking and forced criminality.
The organisation stressed that people who had been trafficked should not automatically be labelled as criminals or scammers without proper screening. Instead, authorities should identify potential victims and ensure their protection.
It also called for an accurate list of Bangladeshis deported from Cambodia, including how many had returned home and how many remained stranded in the country.
The foundation urged the relevant authorities to expedite the repatriation of Bangladeshis still in Cambodia and provide returnees with legal assistance, mental health services and rehabilitation according to their needs.
It further warned that returning Bangladeshis could again fall victim to trafficking if they were lured by brokers into travelling illegally from Cambodia to other countries.
The organisation called for stronger monitoring to prevent repeat trafficking and urged law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute members of human trafficking networks.