Vietnamese authorities receive 45 Cambodian nationals from their counterparts
In mid-July 2025, a significant event unfolded at the Mọc Bài International Border Gate in Tây Ninh Province, Vietnam, as 45 Vietnamese nationals, identified as illegal residents in Cambodia, were deported back to their home country [1][3]. The deportations followed the detention of over 140 Vietnamese citizens by Cambodian authorities in Phnom Penh on July 14, who were accused of involvement in online fraud activities [2][3].
The majority of the deportees, comprising 35 men and 10 women, hailed from 12 different provinces across Vietnam, including Ninh Bình, Hải Phòng, HCM City, Tây Ninh, Thái Nguyên, Lâm Đồng, Đông Nai, An Giang, Đắk Lắk, Tuyên Quang, Gia Lai, and Cà Mau [1][3].
The primary reason for the deportations was illegal residence in Cambodia. However, further investigations revealed a more concerning scenario. Most of the individuals were reportedly lured to Cambodia by promises of high-paying, easy jobs advertised on social networks [1][2][3]. Upon arrival, they were coerced into working for companies operating online scam syndicates, where their main task was using fake platforms to defraud people in Vietnam [1][3].
Those who failed to meet targets or attempted to escape faced severe punishments, including beatings, detention, torture, and threats from the syndicates [1][3]. Among the 45 deported, one individual was banned from leaving Vietnam, and six others had criminal records in Vietnam related to offenses such as fraud, extortion, illegal drug storage, gambling, robbery, and theft [1][3].
Following the handover of the detainees to Vietnamese authorities, border guards and police conducted background checks and identified the detainees’ criminal histories where applicable [1][3]. The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively coordinating with the embassy in Cambodia and local authorities to provide consular assistance and facilitate the return of remaining detained citizens [2].
Officials have advised Vietnamese citizens to thoroughly vet overseas job offers, especially those promising easy, high-paid work without contracts or clear employer details, and to seek assistance from consular authorities if needed [2]. The case is still under investigation by Vietnamese authorities, who are working to verify the full scope of the scam operations and the circumstances surrounding the exploitation of Vietnamese workers in Cambodia [1][3].
This incident underscores the ongoing risks of labor trafficking and online scam networks in Southeast Asia. It serves as a reminder for Vietnamese citizens to exercise caution when considering employment opportunities abroad and to seek assistance when needed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also warned the public about the risks of such fraudulent job schemes and encouraged vigilance in such matters.
- The AI-assisted investigation into the case revealed that most of the illegal residents deported from Cambodia had fallen victim to online fraud due to job offers with high salaries on social networks, which were actually part of scam syndicates operating in the country.
- In light of the crime-and-justice incident involving Vietnamese citizens in Cambodia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in politics urges citizens to be cautious when considering job offers abroad and to seek assistance from consular authorities if needed.
- The general-news coverage of the deportation of illegal residents from Cambodia also highlighted the role of AI algorithms in investigating the cases, as they helped identify the individuals who had criminal records in Vietnam.
