Background
Cambodia’s immigration system regulates the entry, stay, work status, and removal of foreign nationals through administrative and law enforcement procedures under the authority of the Ministry of Interior and the General Department of Immigration. Deportation is an immigration enforcement measure used when foreign nationals are found to be in violation of Cambodian law, including unlawful stay or unauthorized work.
Online scam operations have become a cross-border enforcement issue involving immigration control, criminal investigation, and cooperation with foreign embassies. In Cambodia, immigration authorities may coordinate with diplomatic missions and border checkpoint police to process the removal of foreign nationals after legal and administrative procedures are completed.
Key Developments
On 12 April 2026, the General Department of Immigration said it continued the deportation of 327 Chinese nationals, including 15 women, from Cambodia. According to the announcement, the individuals were connected to online scam cases as well as illegal stay and unlawful employment.
The GDI said the deportation was carried out by its Investigation and Procedure Enforcement Department in coordination with the Embassy of China in Cambodia. The removal was conducted via a special flight through the police post at Techo International Airport.
The announcement stated that the action followed direction from senior Ministry of Interior leadership and formed part of broader efforts to suppress technology-related crime and remove foreign nationals found in violation of Cambodian law.
Implications
The deportation indicates continued use of immigration enforcement tools in Cambodia against foreign nationals linked to online scam operations and related administrative violations. It also shows that immigration control is being used alongside criminal and diplomatic coordination in cases involving transnational fraud networks.
For businesses and foreign nationals, the case reinforces the compliance significance of lawful entry, valid stay status, and authorized employment in Cambodia. It also signals that cases involving online scam activity may trigger both law enforcement action and immigration removal procedures.
Official Source
General Department of Immigration (GDI), Facebook post published on 12 April 2026: Source
