Cambodia blocks nearly 200 women from travel

Cambodian immigration authorities say they stopped 198 women from leaving the country in the first half of 2026, amid fears they were being lured into job scams or sham marriages linked to human trafficking.

The General Department of Immigration explained that the women were intercepted during routine checks and interviews, which revealed no clear purpose for their trips abroad. Officials suspected they were at risk of exploitation.

Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha, who chairs the National Committee for Counter Trafficking, warned that trafficking networks are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive citizens. Victims are often promised high‑paying jobs or marriages to foreign nationals, only to end up exploited.

Authorities highlighted that more than 5,000 Cambodians were deported from overseas last year for offences, while 180 women were rescued and repatriated after being tricked into trafficking schemes. The government says public awareness campaigns remain vital to protect vulnerable groups.

This latest move underscores Phnom Penh’s determination to clamp down on trafficking, even if it means preventing travel when suspicions arise.

-2026-07-21