Background
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) enforces border-control and removal procedures for non-citizens found to be involved in criminal activity or violating stay and work conditions. The GDI coordinated with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cambodia to remove 479 Chinese nationals linked to online technology-enabled fraud on 5–6 June 2026.
Deportation operations included the use of special charter flights routed through international airport police checkpoints. Special charter flights were used to return expelled individuals via international airport police checkpoints at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport and Phnom Penh Techo International Airport.
Key Developments
On 5–6 June 2026, the General Department of Immigration announced the removal of 479 Chinese nationals connected to online scams and cases of illegal stay or illegal employment. A total of 16 women were among those expelled. Of the group, 306 individuals (including 7 women) were returned from Siem Reap Angkor International Airport on a special flight, and 173 individuals (including 9 women) were returned from Phnom Penh Techo International Airport on a separate special flight.
The removals were carried out following instructions from senior leadership at the Ministry of Interior and in coordination with diplomatic authorities, according to the immigration statement.
Institutional Role
The General Department of Immigration is responsible for implementing removal and return procedures for foreign nationals who breach immigration rules or are identified in connection with criminal networks. Coordination with law-enforcement units and foreign diplomatic missions is a standard mechanism used to verify nationality, secure travel documentation, and organize repatriation logistics for expelled persons.
Enforcement Actions
The operation targeted persons assessed to be involved in online fraud schemes and those remaining or working in Cambodia without proper authorization. The immigration notice also referenced measures to assist victims who were coerced into fraudulent activity and to facilitate their voluntary return to their home country when applicable.
Source: General Department of Immigration (GDI) Facebook post, 7 June 2026 — https://www.facebook.com/GDIOfficial/posts/pfbid0YjKGu65wc3HtnjHWHTYHXZKUFYCYo6eFFuZGHr8YP2abxMaQMk8Pn8GAFNfeXkQWl
