Japanese Set for Deportation after Raid
Minister of Interior Sar Sokha sits during a ceremony. Photo: General Department of Digital Technology and Media
- By Lay Sopheavotey
- October 6, 2023 4:50 PM
PHNOM PENH – Twenty-eight Japanese people believed to be linked to online fraud have been blacklisted by Cambodia, with 25 of them arrested and facing deportation.
Interior Ministry deputy spokesperson Touch Sokhak said that at the request of the Japanese embassy, authorities cracked down on the 25 in September but three others escaped.
Sokhak said he did not have information on the reasons for the authorities’ action but it came after one person claimed to be held hostage in the Skyline building in Phnom Penh. One victim was rescued.
Japan Times reported in September that Cambodian authorities had detained more than 20 Japanese for allegedly committing online fraud from an apartment in Phnom Penh.
The paper said the Japanese Embassy in Cambodia had passed on information about the operation.
On Sep. 12, the National Police announced the search for three Japanese nationals who escaped around Chroy Changvar area and asked the public to report any incident.
The 25 Japanese have been sent to the General Department of Immigration to prepare for deportation.
Sokhak could not confirm the deportation dates. Keo Vanthan, deputy director-general and spokesperson of General Department of Immigration could not be reached for comment.
“This operation shows the security management in the country, regardless of nationality,” said Touch Sokhak. “The authority will continue to manage the security to provide comfort to the investors.”
