Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 28 – Cambodian authorities will collaborate with the respective governments of 230 foreign nationals who were found working illegally in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey province, to facilitate legal procedures, including deportation.
The Investigation and Crime Suppression Command of the Ministry of Interior provided an update on Friday (Feb. 28) regarding the ongoing investigation concerning the 230 foreign nationals who were apprehended during law enforcement operations conducted on 22 and 23 February 2025, at 2 locations in Poipet City, Banteay Meanchey Province.
Following the identification process conducted by the General Department of Immigration, it has been determined that, among the 123 individuals who initially claimed to be Thai nationals, only 119 were confirmed as such. The remaining 4 individuals were identified as 2 Laotian nationals and 2 Myanmar nationals.
The investigation has further revealed that all individuals arrested had entered the Kingdom of Cambodia, either legally or illegally, in pursuit of high-paying employment opportunities. These individuals were found to have been working voluntarily and, at no point, did they request assistance from any authorities, including their respective governments, to leave their employment or return to their home countries. This contrasts with previous cases where Cambodian authorities facilitated the repatriation of foreign workers.
Given that these individuals were engaged in illicit online operations using Cambodian territory to conduct activities targeting victims of foreign countries, and in the absence of specific complaints from those victims, Cambodian authorities will collaborate with the respective governments of these individuals' home countries to facilitate legal procedures, including deportation.
Regarding the 119 Thai nationals, which include 58 women, Cambodian authorities will soon coordinate their transfer to the Thai authorities for further investigation and legal proceedings in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Thailand.
=FRESH NEWS
