August 12, 2026 | 06:41 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Cambodia has deported nearly 18,000 foreign suspects of online scams this year amid an ongoing crackdown on cybercrime, an immigration official said Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Lieutenant General Sok Veasna, Director-General of Cambodia's General Department of Immigration, said anti-online scam operations have been ramped up since the beginning of this year.
"From January 1 to August 9, we deported more than 50,000 foreigners, including over 17,700 online scam suspects," Sok told reporters, according to Antara, citing Xinhua.
The remaining foreign nationals deported included individuals holding invalid documents, such as expired passports or visas, those without work permits, and foreign fugitives.
Thong Mengdavid, deputy director of the China-ASEAN Studies Center at the Cambodia University of Technology and Science, said that while the mass deportations are a long-overdue measure to restore Cambodia's reputation and disrupt large-scale cyber scam networks, they remain only a temporary solution.
"To truly win this fight, Cambodia must target high-level kingpins and dismantle the local protection networks that allow these operations to thrive," Thong told Xinhua.
He emphasized that the root causes will persist until the underlying issues of human trafficking and corruption are fully addressed.
Cambodia has launched an unprecedented nationwide crackdown on online scam networks to protect public safety and restore its international image.
Read: UN Says Online Scam Center Trafficking is Skyrocketing
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
ASEAN Civil Service Chiefs Meet in Cambodia: What's the Agenda?
7 hari lalu
Civil service leaders from ASEAN member countries gathered in Cambodia on Wednesday, August 5.
AFF Cup: How Indonesia Plans to Secure 27,000 Fans for Vietnam Game
9 hari lalu
Police are anticipating a crowd of approximately 27,000 fans for the face off between the Indonesian national team and Vietnam for the 2026 AFF Cup.
Indonesia Secures Second Spot in AFF Cup Group A Standings
11 hari lalu
Indonesia took second place in Group A of the 2026 AFF Cup after defeating Timor Leste 3-0.
UN Says Online Scam Center Trafficking is Skyrocketing
14 hari lalu
The number of individuals being coerced into working at massive online scam centers across Asia is increasing dramatically, says the UN.
Today's Top 3 News: Indonesia Crushes Cambodia 5-1, Panda Bonds Expand Funding Options
15 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
What John Herdman Sees in Indonesia's Win over Cambodia in AFF Cup
15 hari lalu
Indonesian national team coach John Herdman praised his team's tactical discipline in their 5-1 AFF Cup win over Cambodia.
AFF Cup: Cambodia Coach Calls 5-1 Loss to Indonesia a Valuable Lesson
15 hari lalu
Cambodian national team coach Koji Gyotoku said the crushing 5-1 defeat to Indonesia in the 2026 AFF Cup was a valuable lesson for his team.
AFF Cup: Indonesia Thrashes Cambodia 5-1 as Mitchell Baker Hits Hat-Trick on Debut
15 hari lalu
The debutant Mitchell Baker becomes the star of the match after scoring a hat-trick for the Indonesian national team against Cambodia in the AFF Cup 2026.
2026 AFF Cup Prediction for Indonesia vs Cambodia Face-Off
16 hari lalu
The Indonesian national team will start their journey in the ASEAN Championship or the AFF Cup 2026 by facing Cambodia in the opening match of Group A at Pakansari Stadium, Bogor, on Monday night, July 27, 2026.
2026 AFF Cup Garuda Home Matches: Ticket Sales, Price List, and More
18 hari lalu
For supporters wishing to support the team directly from the stadium, PSSI has announced the 2026 AFF Cup ticket sales.
