Ugandans, Kenyans, and Cameroonians are among thousands of foreign nationals who have been expelled from the Kingdom of Cambodia following an aggressive, nationwide immigration sweep targeting cyber-fraud syndicates.
According to official statistics from the General Department of Immigration (GDI), Cambodian authorities processed and deported 3,598 foreigners across 37 nationalities within a ten-day period spanning May 11 to May 20, 2026.
The extensive enforcement drive follows a strict directive from Prime Minister Hun Manet and Interior Minister Dr. Sar Sokha aimed at completely eradicating illicit online scam operations and human trafficking networks within the country.
African Nationals Caught Up in Massive Sweeps
While initial online rumors sparked fears of a targeted campaign against African expats, official data reveals that the crackdown is universally impacting individuals lacking legal work permits or proper immigration documentation.
Among the 37 nationalities affected by the mid-May expulsions were citizens from a long list of African nations, including:
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East Africa: Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, and Rwanda.
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West & Central Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Benin, Chad, and Togo.
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Southern & North Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Morocco.
While specific numbers for individual African countries were not explicitly broken down, their inclusion alongside global economic powers underscores the expansive geographical footprint of Cambodia’s recent enforcement operations.
The Core Target: Industrial-Scale Scam Compounds
The primary catalyst for these sweeping expulsions is the presence of massive, highly organized online scam rings. For several years, international human rights watchdogs have warned that transnational crime syndicates in Southeast Asia lure desperate job seekers from Africa and South Asia with fake promises of lucrative tech or customer support roles.
Upon arrival, many of these individuals find themselves trapped in heavily fortified compounds, where their passports are confiscated, and they are forced under duress to execute digital financial scams targeting victims globally.
The bulk of the recent deportees were heavily concentrated around large networks:
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1,794 Chinese Nationals were flown out via special aircraft charters operating out of Techo International Airport and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport.
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127 Vietnamese Nationals linked directly to fraudulent digital enterprises were systematically processed and returned across the land border at the Meun Chey International Border Gate.
A Strict Warning for Foreigners Remaining in Cambodia
Lieutenant General Sok Veasna, Director-General of Immigration, has reiterated that the GDI will maintain a zero-tolerance approach toward immigration violations.
Foreign nationals—including the African expat community—residing in Cambodia have been strongly advised to ensure their legal status is fully updated. Beyond direct involvement in cybercrime, the GDI confirmed it is actively prosecuting and expelling individuals for:
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Visa Overstays: Remaining in the country without valid travel documents.
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Illegal Employment: Working without a valid, company-sponsored work permit.
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Fraudulent Visas: Attempting to use counterfeit documentation or fake QR codes to bypass systems.
The Cambodian Ministry of Interior maintains that these measures are non-negotiable to clean up the country’s international reputation and guarantee long-term security both locally and abroad.
