Background
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) operates under the Ministry of Interior to administer border control, visa compliance, and removal procedures for foreign nationals in Cambodia. The General Department of Immigration enforces removal of foreign nationals who are linked to online fraud and who reside or work in Cambodia without legal authorization.
On 25 May 2026, GDI implemented a coordinated deportation of 160 Chinese nationals, including five women, identified in connection with online-scamming operations and cases of illegal residence; the removals were carried out by special aircraft through the airport police checkpoint at Techo International Airport. Deportation operations can be executed through scheduled or special aircraft and coordinated at airport police checkpoints to ensure secure outbound transit.
Institutional Role
GDI conducted the removals following direction from senior Interior Ministry leadership and in cooperation with the Chinese diplomatic mission. The department cited both criminal-investigation referrals and immigration-violation procedures as the basis for the expulsions.
Operational Implications
The operation illustrates a model of cross-border enforcement where immigration authorities coordinate with law-enforcement and diplomatic channels to execute removals tied to technology-facilitated crime. GDI stated that individuals identified as victims of deceptive recruitment are to be assisted in returning to their home country, while those implicated in criminal activity are processed for immediate removal under immigration procedures.
Source
Official statement from the General Department of Immigration (GDI), posted on the department’s public social channels and shared with the Ministry of Interior.
