Cambodia has deported 494 Chinese nationals linked to telecom and online fraud operations in Sihanoukville, as authorities intensify a nationwide crackdown on cross-border cybercrime, according to local media outlet Cambodia China Times.
The group was repatriated to China on the night of February 22nd via chartered flights departing from Phnom Penh International Airport, according to the General Department of Immigration. The individuals were found to be involved in telecommunications fraud activities in Preah Sihanouk province, a key hub for online scam networks in recent years.
Senior government officials reiterated that Cambodia maintains a “zero-tolerance” policy toward telecom and cyber fraud, pledging to dismantle related criminal networks and remove them from the country. Authorities said the latest deportation forms part of a broader, sustained campaign targeting illegal operations linked to online scams, money laundering, and human trafficking.
From June 2025 to early 2026, law enforcement agencies investigated around 200 telecom fraud cases across approximately 2,500 locations. During these operations, officials seized more than 10,400 computers, 36,000 mobile phones, and other electronic devices. More than 8,000 foreign nationals were expelled, and over 200 suspected facilities, including some casino-related sites, were shut down.
Authorities said large-scale raids have disrupted major scam compounds, although some organizers have fled and remain under investigation. Officials also reported that about 210,000 foreign nationals have voluntarily left Cambodia, while several victims forced into scam activities have been rescued through international cooperation.
According to the Ministry of Justice, courts have handled more than 500 major fraud-related cases over the past eight months, including several high-profile transnational prosecutions. Investigators continue to analyze seized devices and trace financial flows linked to organized crime groups.
Immigration officials said nearly 2,000 Chinese nationals remain at repatriation centers awaiting deportation. They expressed appreciation for assistance from Chinese authorities, including expedited documentation and additional charter flights, which have improved repatriation efficiency.
The government aims to eliminate telecom fraud activities by the end of April, with a national review meeting planned for late March to assess progress.
