Play store
Cambodia has deported 721 foreign nationals from 20 countries, including Bangladesh, over the past 10 days as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration, online scams and transnational crimes, local media reported.
The Khmer Times reported that the repatriation drive began on October 11, with 95 women among those sent back to their respective countries.
The operation was conducted under the leadership and direction of Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Sokha. Lieutenant General Sok Veasna, director-general of the Immigration Department, instructed the department’s investigation and procedures units to continue the repatriation process.
The deportees were citizens of 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.
According to the report, 90 Chinese nationals, including three women, were repatriated on a special flight over their alleged involvement in online scams.
Another 355 Indonesian nationals, including 54 women, were deported through Techo International Airport over alleged involvement in online fraud.
The remaining foreign nationals were returned through various international border checkpoints.
Cambodian authorities accused the deportees of involvement in a range of offences, including illegal border crossings, document forgery, staying without passports, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, using fake visas or QR codes, drug trafficking and consumption, illegal employment and other criminal activities.
The crackdown follows directives from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to enforce the law strictly and prevent the country from being used as a base for online scams or other criminal activities threatening regional and global security.
Hun Manet has repeatedly pledged that Cambodia will not tolerate the use of its territory for online fraud or other criminal operations.
The prime minister has instructed authorities to continue operations against criminal activities and repatriate offenders without leniency to protect national security and the country’s international reputation.
