30 Malaysians Rescued from Online Fraud Syndicate in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH: Thirty Malaysians trapped in online fraud operations in Cambodia have been rescued with the assistance of the Cambodian Immigration Department, the Malaysian Embassy in Phnom Penh confirmed.

In a statement on Facebook, the embassy said the group was released by Cambodian immigration authorities, with support from officials in Sihanoukville, before being repatriated via Phnom Penh International Airport on Thursday.

The embassy did not disclose details about the victims or the circumstances leading to their detention. However, Cambodian authorities have been intensifying their crackdown on online fraud syndicates since July, deporting over 3,000 foreign nationals linked to such activities.

Many victims were lured by false promises of high-paying jobs and benefits in casinos, only to end up forced into scam centers under exploitative conditions.

The Malaysian Embassy said it remains committed to cooperating closely with Cambodian authorities to assist and repatriate citizens caught up in such operations, urging Malaysians to be cautious of overseas job offers that may involve fraudulent schemes.