Vietnam receives over 100 citizens accused of gambling in Cambodia

Pham Thu Hang, spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press meet that over 100 Vietnamese working illegally at an online gambling facility in Cambodia were arrested and deported on March 9, citing the Vietnamese Consulate in Sihanoukville.

The Consulate on March 11 had cooperated with Cambodian and Vietnamese authorities to receive these citizens through the Prek Chak-Ha Tien border gate.

Previously, Cambodian authorities raided the Paradis Island casino on March 9 and arrested 172 foreigners, including 109 Vietnamese, the Khmer Times reported. The Vietnamese were brought to the Cambodian Immigration Department for deportation.

In relevance with the incidence in Cambodia, Thai police also arrested 18 Vietnamese when they checked an apartment in Bangkok, the Thai PBS reported on March 7. The Vietnamese were accused of running an online gambling ring since November 2023.

Hang said the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok has contacted Thai authorities to verify the identities of the 18 Vietnamese. These people had been arrested for organizing gambling or inviting others to gamble, she added.

The foreign ministry warned citizens to be wary against offers of high-paying jobs overseas without a need for degrees or contracts.

"All citizens need to properly find out the details of the jobs they’re taking, the location of the jobs, the identification of those who interview them for the job, the insurance policies, and their rights before deciding to go abroad," Hang said.