Background
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) administers border control, immigration compliance, and removal procedures for foreign nationals present in Cambodia under the authority of the interior ministry and relevant administrative rules.
On 18 June 2026, GDI reported the removal of 164 Chinese nationals alleged to be linked to online scam operations; the group included 10 women. The department stated that the expulsions were carried out in coordination with the Chinese embassy and that the individuals departed on a special flight via Phnom Penh’s international airport immigration police post.
Key Developments
GDI announced that the expulsions followed recommendations from senior interior ministry leadership and were executed after investigations by the department’s investigative unit. The official statement cites allegations of participation in online fraud and unlawful residence or employment as the reasons for removal.
Institutional Role
GDI’s Investigation Department conducted case assessments and processing for administrative removal, while the broader operation involved coordination between immigration authorities and the foreign diplomatic mission representing the affected nationals. The use of a dedicated flight and the airport immigration police post illustrates how repatriation logistics are handled within Cambodia’s immigration operations.
Operational Implications
The operation documents an instance of inter-agency and bilateral cooperation used to effect repatriation of foreign nationals suspected of cyber-enabled crimes. Public statements from GDI underscore the department’s role in applying immigration measures alongside investigative actions to address cross-border online crime vectors.
Source
Original announcement by the General Department of Immigration: GDI Facebook post, 18 June 2026.
