119 Thai nationals deported from Cambodia over scam centre involvement
Some 119 Thai nationals were among 230 foreigners released from a scam call centre in Poipet, Cambodia, as law enforcement continues its battle against cybercrime.
Yesterday, March 1, Cambodia’s immigration department reported the deportation of 119 Thais, comprising 61 men and 58 women, who had unlawfully entered and resided in the country.
The deportation took place via the Poipet border checkpoint, with Thai police stationed in Aranyaprathet prepared to receive and interview the individuals about their experiences.
The Cambodian National Police General Directorate, following operations on February 22 and February 23 at two locations in Poipet City, Banteay Meanchey province, issued a statement detailing the arrests.
According to a report in the Khmer Times, of the 230 people identified, 123 claimed Thai nationality, but only 119 were verified as Thai citizens. The remainder were from Myanmar and Laos.
The Thai nationals admitted to illegally entering Cambodia to partake in online scams, lured by the promise of high earnings. They asserted they joined the operation willingly and were not forced.
The statement also noted that none of those apprehended had sought help from either the Thai or Cambodian governments.
The raid was the culmination of a three-month probe into Chinese-operated call centres in the region.
The handover occurred a day after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited Sa Kaeo province, near Poipet, and reiterated her resolve to dismantle call centre gangs.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed in a social media post that the 119 Thais had been repatriated from Cambodia, reported Bangkok Post.
This operation is part of a broader effort by Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia to dismantle a cyberscam industry with an estimated annual worth in the billions, and the UN suggests up to 120,000 people may be involved in Myanmar scam operations.
In similar news, in a significant crackdown on illegal immigration, 200 Myanmar migrants were deported from Ranong province on February 24 as part of Thailand’s ongoing efforts to address the influx of undocumented workers.
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