Cambodian authorities revealed Monday that around 16,000 foreign nationals linked to online scam compounds were deported in the first six months of 2026 – part of the nation’s efforts to crack down on scam activity and restore its international reputation.
These formed more than a third of the total 45,000 foreigners deported during the period, while immigration officials also partially attributed a decline in visitor arrivals in 1H26 to stricter border controls aimed at combating online scam operations, human trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
As reported by Cambodian media outlet The Khmer Times, the 16,000 individuals deported were detected during nationwide raids on online scam compounds conducted by the National Police and provincial authorities, with all now banned from returning.
It noted that Cambodia’s policies against scam operations allow for those involved to leave the country voluntarily, with legal action and deportation initiated for those who refuse.
The proliferation of scam centers operating out of Cambodia has attracted significant international attention, with human rights group Amnesty International earlier this year accusing Cambodia of renewing the licenses of 12 Cambodian casinos despite alleged evidence of severe human rights abuses having taken place within their confines.
In response, the Cambodian government recently designated the combat of such scams as a top priority.
However, the negative headlines have severely impacted the country’s tourism industry, with the number of international tourists visiting Cambodia plummeting by 47.8% in the first five months of 2026.
Lieutenant General Sok Veasna, director-general of the General Department of Immigration, said Monday that Cambodia welcomed around 2.3 million international arrivals in the first six months of 2026, down from the same period last year on scam concerns as well as global economic uncertainty.
“Despite expanding convenient visa services, the overall number of visitors has still declined. Consequently, the number of visas issued has also decreased,” he said, as per The Khmer Times report.
Cambodia had, the Lieutenant General added, refused entry in nearly 2,000 cases for failure to meet entry requirements or being listed as persons of interest.
The Khmer Times cited commentary from Chheng Kimlong, President of the Asian Vision Institute, who reiterated the need for Cambodia to address its standing on the international stage if it is to resuscitate its tourism industry.
“While the decline in international visitors is partly due to economic factors and global conflicts, it is also caused by scam-related issues that have affected Cambodia’s reputation,” he said.
“In the medium and long term, Cambodia can regain its attractiveness, rebuild its image, attract more tourists and foreign investment, strengthen domestic investment and export production, and restore national economic growth and stability. At the same time, we must continue building our institutions and improving Cambodia’s justice and law enforcement systems, including in the areas of business, trade, investment and the overall economy.”
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