Background
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) is the government agency tasked with implementing Cambodia’s immigration controls, including border checks and deportation procedures.
On 4 September 2026, GDI reported the removal of 86 foreign nationals via the Trapaing Plong international border police post in Tbong Khmum province, including 28 women. The public statement identified alleged offences including illegal border crossing, use of illegal drugs, unlawful residence and work, lack of travel documents, and involvement in online-scam operations.
Key Developments
GDI said the deportation followed direction from senior interior ministry leadership and a direct recommendation by Deputy Prime Minister S. Sokha. The department named Director-General Sok Vassana as overseeing investigative and operational steps that led to the removals at the Trapaing Plong border post.
The statement framed the removals as part of a broader effort to suppress technology-enabled fraud networks and to enforce existing immigration rules. The post also cited a standing government directive from Prime Minister Hun Manet that Cambodia will not permit criminals or illegal residents to use Cambodian territory to carry out fraudulent or destabilizing activities.
Operational Implications
The action illustrates how Cambodia’s immigration apparatus uses international border police posts for formal removal procedures when authorities identify foreign nationals alleged to be engaged in criminal activity. The GDI announcement also said authorities have worked to identify and assist victims of scams, facilitating their safe return to their countries of origin.
For practitioners and analysts, the case provides a documented instance of interagency enforcement aligned with central political directives against online scams and unauthorized foreign presence.
