PHNOM PENH – Cambodia intensified its war on transnational cybercrime Friday, deporting 209 foreign nationals as part of a massive regional effort to dismantle “scam farms.”
The group—consisting of 73 South Koreans and 136 Myanmar citizens—was handed over to their respective home authorities by the General Department of Immigration. Officials confirmed the group includes a mix of suspected perpetrators and human trafficking victims coerced into operating large-scale online fraud schemes.
A Growing Trend in Enforcement
This latest move isn’t an isolated incident; it’s part of an aggressive, ongoing campaign. In 2025 alone, Cambodia deported 244 South Korean nationals tied to similar operations.
“This is a firm enforcement of the law in our efforts to eliminate technology-based crimes,” the General Department of Immigration stated. “We have zero tolerance for the ringleaders behind these operations.”
By the Numbers: The 2026 Surge
The scale of Cambodia’s enforcement in the first few weeks of 2026 is staggering. Between January 1 and January 22, the Kingdom has already expelled 1,620 foreigners from 21 different nations, including:
- Vietnam
- Thailand
- China
- Pakistan
- Indonesia
- South Korea
- Myanmar
Seven Months of Impact
Data from the last seven months reveals the sheer depth of the government’s crackdown on organized crime syndicates:
- 5,106 Arrests: Suspects hailing from 23 different countries.
- 4,534 Deportations: Sending suspects and victims back to their home jurisdictions.
- 37 Major Prosecutions: Cambodian courts have already sentenced 172 kingpins and high-level accomplices.
The Royal Government of Cambodia, alongside international partners and Ministry of Interior task forces, has pledged to keep the pressure on. The mission is clear: dismantle the infrastructure of “scam farms” and rescue those trapped in the cycle of forced criminal activity.
FAQ: The Cyber-Scam Crackdown in Cambodia
1. Why are so many nationalities involved in these deportations? Cyber-scam syndicates are transnational. They often recruit or traffic “workers” from various countries to target victims globally. The diversity in nationalities (21 so far in 2026) reflects the global nature of these criminal networks.
2. Are all the people being deported criminals? No. Many individuals found in these “scam farms” are victims of human trafficking. They are often lured by fake job advertisements and coerced into criminal activity. Cambodia works with home countries to identify victims and ensure they receive proper support upon return.
3. What is a “scam farm”? A scam farm is a centralized facility where workers are forced or hired to conduct online fraud, such as “pig butchering” scams, fake investments, or phishing schemes, usually via social media or messaging apps.
4. How is Cambodia handling the leaders of these organizations? While many low-level workers are deported, Cambodia is increasingly prosecuting the “kingpins.” In the last seven months, 172 organizers and accomplices have been sentenced in Cambodian courts.
5. Is this crackdown expected to continue throughout 2026? Yes. The Ministry of Interior and international task forces have indicated that operations will remain nationwide and ongoing until the infrastructure of these syndicates is fully dismantled.