AKP Phnom Penh, February 26, 2026 --

Cambodia has deported more than 30,000 foreign nationals linked to cybercrime syndicates, a top Royal Government official said on Wednesday, as the Kingdom intensifies its efforts to dismantle online scam industry.

Speaking at a National Day Against Human Trafficking event in Phnom Penh, H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, revealed that the Royal Government’s recent enforcement surge has triggered a massive exodus of foreign workers involved in illegal operations.

In addition to the formal deportations, H.E. Sokha noted that approximately 210,000 foreigners have voluntarily departed the country following a string of high-profile raids on scam compounds.

"Through our prevention and suppression campaigns against online scams, we have seen over 210,000 people leave Cambodia voluntarily, while more than 30,000 others have been formally deported and repatriated to their home countries," he told an audience of diplomats and officials at the Koh Pich Theatre in Phnom Penh.

The announcement comes as Cambodia faces mounting international pressure to clean up its reputation as a regional hub for industrial-scale cyber-fraud. These operations often involve human trafficking, where victims from across Asia and beyond are lured with false job promises only to be held captive and forced to defraud people globally via the internet.

DPM Sar Sokha, who also chairs the National Committee for Counter-Trafficking (NCCT), expressed gratitude to foreign embassies for their cooperation in the repatriation process.

The Minister emphasised that the Royal Government of Cambodia is committed to a "zero-tolerance" policy regarding the masterminds behind these technological crimes. He framed the crackdown as a vital contribution to regional and global security.

"Our strict legal measures aim to eliminate technology-based crimes and ensure the safety of citizens both locally and globally," he said. "We are focused on rescuing victims who were deceived into these operations, ensuring they regain their freedom and return home safely."

By K. Rithy Reak