Over 8,700 Vietnamese Deportees from Cambodia Linked to Online Scams

In a significant development concerning transnational crime, Cambodia has deported over 72,000 foreign nationals residing illegally over the past three years, with Vietnam being among the most affected countries. According to the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, between September 1, 2023, and September 13, 2026, 72,426 foreigners, including 8,994 women from 96 nationalities, were expelled. Among these, Vietnamese citizens constituted a substantial portion, with 8,737 individuals deported. Alarmingly, nearly 5,000 of these Vietnamese nationals (4,986 to be precise) were linked to online scam operations. This figure represents over half of the Vietnamese citizens expelled. Official reports indicate that some deported Vietnamese had voluntarily gone to Cambodia to engage in online fraud or to evade Vietnamese law. In one instance in May 2025, a deported individual was found to be a wanted fugitive in Vietnam for "intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm," and was subsequently transferred to Ho Chi Minh City police. Conversely, many cases involve individuals who were lured to Cambodia with promises of "easy work and high pay," becoming victims of human trafficking. Investigations by BBC reporters have uncovered scam centers in Cambodia designed to mimic various official institutions, including Vietnamese police stations and banks, as well as Australian and Brazilian police posts. Testimonies from former workers reveal severe physical abuse and torture for those who failed to meet scam quotas. While Cambodia announced the dismantling of all major online scam complexes in late August, it acknowledged that criminal groups have shifted to smaller, decentralized operations hidden in various civilian locations. Experts, however, express skepticism about the complete eradication of these activities. This situation underscores the challenges faced by Vietnam in combating organized crime, particularly within the context of its one-party political system and its rapid economic development, which can create vulnerabilities for its citizens.