Cambodia Deports 43 Thai Nationals Linked to Call Centre Scam

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

Cambodian authorities have deported 43 Thai nationals through the Klong Luek border checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province, after uncovering their involvement with a criminal call centre operation in Poipet.

The deportees, 23 men and 20 women, were handed over to Thai immigration officials at the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge following a crackdown by Phnom Penh police and relevant agencies between 30 April and 3 May in Banteay Meanchey province.

According to Thai authorities, the group had been working for a transnational scam network operating out of a 10-storey building in Poipet, believed to be a hub for call centre fraud targeting Thai citizens. The operation was initiated after the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh received intelligence about the location.

Following their arrest, the Cambodians detained the group at the 911 Border Patrol Police base and filed charges of participation in a transnational criminal organisation. The suspects were later deported to Thailand for further legal proceedings.

Senior Thai officials, including Pol. Lt. Gen. Thaworn Dulyawit, Commissioner of Sa Kaeo Provincial Police, and Pol. Lt. Gen. Teerachai Chamnarnmo, Commander of Provincial Police Region 2, were present to receive the deportees. The group was taken through immigration procedures and then transferred to a screening centre at Surasinghanat Military Camp under the 19th Army Circle. Authorities aim to distinguish between perpetrators and victims of human trafficking.

During the handover, checks revealed that two of the returnees were subjects of arrest warrants covering three separate charges. Another individual had a pending online fraud complaint. These three were separated from the group for immediate legal action.

The remaining individuals will undergo the screening process to determine further legal or protective measures, as part of ongoing Thai efforts to dismantle cross-border scam operations and assist trafficking victims.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Kaoded 2025-05-10.