More than 140 Vietnamese arrested in Cambodia over online scam jobs

"According to information from the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, on July 14, more than 140 Vietnamese citizens were detained by Cambodian authorities for engaging in criminal activities regarding online fraud," said ministry spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang at a press briefing on July 17.

Vietnamese diplomats in Cambodia have contacted local authorities to verify the identities of those detained and requested that Cambodian officials ensure adequate living conditions for them. The ministry said it is working with both domestic agencies and Cambodian authorities to carry out the necessary procedures to bring the citizens home as soon as possible.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to tell Vietnamese citizens to be vigilant to invitations to go abroad for easy work with high salary, without requirement of degrees, qualifications; without contracts, no business or organization in place... Citizens need to do careful research on jobs, including in-charge units, expected work locations, the person introducing, among others to make the right decision before going abroad to work," Hang warned.

Cambodia's crackdown on online fraud has intensified under orders from Prime Minister Hun Manet. According to Cambodian Information Minister Neth Pheaktra, police arrested more than 1,000 people, mostly foreign nationals, during coordinated raids between July 14 and 16 on suspected scam compounds across the country.

Authorities seized computers, hundreds of mobile phones and other equipment. The Vietnamese suspects were detained in Kratie and Pursat provinces.

According to the United Nations, hundreds of thousands of people across Southeast Asia have been trafficked and forced to work in illegal online scam centers. A 2023 UN report estimated these networks rake in billions of dollars in illicit profits each year.