Cambodia agrees to early repatriation of 54 Pakistanis held after scam centre raid

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia has agreed to the early repatriation of 54 Pakistani nationals who were detained after a raid on what the Foreign Office described as a scamming compound, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Tuesday.

The development came after reports said that more than 200 Pakistanis were being held by Cambodian police in overcrowded facilities and were facing a shortage of basic amenities.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s embassy in Cambodia had been actively taking up the matter with the Cambodian government. The efforts were being made in line with instructions from Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to take all possible actions aimed at facilitating the Pakistani community abroad.

The statement said, As a result of the embassy’s efforts, the host authorities have agreed to the early repatriation of 54 Pakistani nationals detained in Siem Reap province. These individuals were arrested following a raid on a scamming compound.

According to the Foreign Office, embassy officials are also working to ensure the wellbeing of the detained Pakistanis. The detainees would leave Cambodia once flight arrangements are completed.

The statement further said that, as a goodwill gesture by the Cambodian authorities, the 54 Pakistanis would be sent back without any legal proceedings being initiated against them.

Embassy engagement and repatriation process

The Foreign Office said the embassy had remained engaged with the host government over the issue and that the agreement on early repatriation followed those efforts. It did not provide a timeline for the return beyond saying that travel would take place as soon as flight arrangements were finalised.

The case has drawn attention amid broader concerns linked to scam operations in Cambodia. According to experts cited by AFP, a multibillion-dollar scam industry has expanded in the country in recent years, involving thousands of people, with some participating willingly and others being forced by organised criminal groups.

UN reports on expanding cyberscam networks

Reuters reported that the United Nations said last year that Asian crime syndicates behind the multibillion-dollar cyberscam industry were expanding their operations globally, including into South America and Africa.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said these syndicates had adapted by moving operations between remote, vulnerable and underprepared parts of Southeast Asia, particularly Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia, and beyond. The groups were exploiting jurisdictions marked by weak governance and high levels of corruption.

These detainees will leave Cambodia as soon as flight arrangements are finalised.

The Foreign Office statement did not say whether any additional Pakistanis detained in Cambodia would also be repatriated under a similar arrangement.