In recent years, Cambodia has intensified its efforts to expel illegal foreign residents, with nearly 5,000 Vietnamese citizens among those affected. According to a report from Khmer Times, the Cambodian Ministry of Interior announced that from September 1, 2023, to September 13, 2026, a total of 72,426 foreign nationals were expelled, including 8,994 women from 96 different nationalities.

The Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior, Touch Sokhak, highlighted that the countries with the highest number of expelled citizens include China, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Specifically, 32,395 Chinese nationals were expelled, with 13,619 linked to online scam activities. Indonesia saw 10,568 of its citizens expelled, with 2,470 involved in similar fraudulent operations.

Vietnam ranks third, with 8,737 citizens expelled, of whom 4,986 were directly associated with online scams. This alarming trend has raised concerns about the methods used by scammers in Cambodia, as many Vietnamese individuals reportedly traveled there with the intention of engaging in fraudulent activities or to escape legal issues in Vietnam.

Some of those expelled were found to be wanted for serious crimes, including one individual apprehended for intentional injury. Unfortunately, many victims were lured to Cambodia under false pretenses of high-paying, low-effort jobs, only to find themselves caught in human trafficking schemes.

Reports from journalists who visited scam operations in Cambodia revealed disturbing conditions. Scammers were forced to simulate official government offices, and those who failed to meet quotas faced severe punishments, including beatings and torture. One former scam worker recounted the horrors of being electrocuted and subjected to extreme violence in a place referred to as the 'Black Room.'

Despite the Cambodian government's claims of dismantling all online scam complexes, experts remain skeptical, noting that criminal groups have merely shifted to smaller, more discreet operations. These groups are now hiding in rented homes, coffee shops, and other locations to evade law enforcement.