Cambodia Reports Success in Joint Operations with China on Criminal Suspects

Cambodia's Ministry of Interior has reported significant success in joint operations with China over the past year, focusing on the investigation and repatriation of Chinese nationals involved in criminal activities. The ministry's Deputy Spokesperson, Touch Sokha, stated that Cambodian authorities have continuously investigated key suspects based on requests from the Chinese Embassy. Specifically, concerning a request to investigate 16 Chinese nationals suspected of online fraud and extortion, authorities identified 14 individuals. Four of them had already departed Cambodia, while 10 remained in the country. For the remaining two, no entry records into Cambodia were found. Furthermore, in response to a request to investigate 52 Chinese nationals (including 4 females) suspected of online fraud, personal data violations, and illegal border crossing, 39 individuals were identified. Nine had left Cambodia, 13 had no entry records, and one was found to hold Cambodian nationality. Additionally, three Chinese nationals were rescued from forced online scam operations and handed over to the General Department of Immigration. In another case, investigations into 45 Chinese nationals (including 6 females) suspected of involvement in disputes, technological fraud, and illegal gambling uncovered 36 individuals. Sixteen of them had departed Cambodia, while 20 remained. One of the 20 individuals currently in the country is slated for deportation in 2025 and has been detained and sent to the General Department of Immigration. Requests for investigations into five Chinese nationals involved in alleged deposit fraud and indecent image offenses found that all five had not yet left Cambodia and are currently undergoing legal procedures. For another five Chinese nationals suspected of rape and other offenses, it was found that they had entered Cambodia, with two having since departed. However, these five suspects lack data in the identification management system. Under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation framework, Cambodia has received a total of 100 diplomatic notes concerning 214 suspects (10 females). To date, two cases (involving 2 individuals) have been concluded with detention and deportation, 30 diplomatic notes (31 individuals) have received interim reports, and the remaining 68 diplomatic notes (183 individuals, including 7 females) are still being processed. Touch Sokha emphasized that these achievements stem from the close cooperation between the two countries, particularly through the Law Enforcement Cooperation Coordination Office (based on MoUs from 2019 and 2024) and the Mekong-Lancang Integrated Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation Center (based on the 2017 MoU). He also noted that China has facilitated hundreds of special flights to repatriate tens of thousands of Chinese nationals involved in online fraud to face legal proceedings in China. Source: CEN Cambodia