Background
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) administers border control, visa management, and the removal of foreign nationals under Cambodia’s immigration framework. Deportation and repatriation operations in Cambodia are implemented through coordination between the immigration department, border police checkpoints, and the diplomatic mission of the foreign national’s country.
On 28 May 2026, the GDI carried out the administrative removal of 109 Vietnamese nationals, including 29 women, who were identified in connection with online scams and other infractions including illegal stay, unauthorized work, and illicit drug-related activity. The operation involved cooperation with the Embassy of Vietnam in Phnom Penh and processing through the Phnum Den international border police checkpoint in Takeo province.
Key Developments
GDI announced that the 109 Vietnamese nationals were expelled from Cambodia on 28 May 2026 following investigations by immigration and law enforcement units. The removals were processed at the Phnum Den border checkpoint in Takeo province and executed in coordination with Vietnamese diplomatic representatives.
Institutional Role
The General Department of Immigration acted on guidance from senior Interior Ministry leadership to investigate and remove foreign nationals implicated in technology-enabled fraud and related offences. The case illustrates the role of the immigration agency in enforcing visa conditions, addressing unauthorized employment, and coordinating cross-border repatriation with foreign missions.
Operational Implications
Removal operations for foreign nationals in Cambodia typically require coordination across immigration investigators, border police, and the relevant embassy to effect repatriation at designated checkpoints. The episode highlights operational use of border checkpoints and diplomatic channels when addressing cases that combine immigration violations with criminal allegations such as cyber-enabled fraud and narcotics offences.
