Background
On 17 March 2026, the General Department of Immigration (GDI) reported the deportation of 776 Vietnamese nationals in connection with online scam activities. The individuals had been transferred to the GDI by the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Police Commissariat following a law enforcement operation conducted on 12 March 2026 in Malai district, Banteay Meanchey province.
Scope of Application
The action concerns a total of 776 Vietnamese nationals, including 183 women, who were identified as being involved in online scam cases. The measure applies specifically to these foreign nationals who were apprehended in the Malai district operation and subsequently placed under the jurisdiction of the General Department of Immigration for immigration procedures and deportation.
Key Provisions or Decisions
General Sok Veasna, Director General of the General Department of Immigration, instructed the Department of Investigation and Procedure to continue implementing deportation measures for the 776 Vietnamese nationals linked to online scams. Of this total, 457 individuals, including 126 women, were deported through the Bavet International Border Police Post in Svay Rieng province. The remaining 319 individuals, including 57 women, were deported through the Trapaing Sre International Border Police Post in Kratie province.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The deportation underscores the enforcement role of the General Department of Immigration in addressing foreign nationals involved in online scam activities within Cambodia. Businesses and investors operating in Cambodia, particularly in border and special economic zones, should be aware that foreign workers and operators linked to unlawful online activities may face coordinated law enforcement actions and immigration removal. The update also highlights the coordination between provincial police commissariats and the General Department of Immigration in handling such cases.
Official Source
The information is based on an official communication from the General Department of Immigration, published via its verified social media channels and referencing the operation conducted by the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Police Commissariat and subsequent deportation procedures through the Bavet and Trapaing Sre International Border Police Posts.
Related Developments
This topic is part of ongoing policy and enforcement developments related to cybercrime and online fraud in Cambodia, including scam investigations, regulatory responses, and cross-border cooperation.
