18 of 193 Thais Deported From Cambodia Wanted in Call-Centre Scam Cases
18 of 193 Thais Deported From Cambodia Wanted in Call-Centre Scam Cases
SA KAEO, October 10, 2026 — Thai immigration authorities have received 193 Thai nationals deported from Cambodia, with cyber police subsequently finding that 18 of them were wanted under arrest warrants linked to call-centre scam networks.
The returnees were handed over at the Ban Khlong Luek permanent border checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district, Sa Kaeo province, on October 8, following a Cambodian crackdown on transnational online scams and call-centre operations.
Pol Col Rung Thongmon, chief of Sa Kaeo immigration police, said the handover followed Thailand’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a screening process designed to distinguish people who were deceived or forced into scam operations from those who participated voluntarily.
Authorities screen returnees for trafficking and criminal involvement
Rung said individuals identified as victims would receive assistance and protection as potential human trafficking victims, while those found to have participated willingly could face prosecution.
Immigration officers checked the returnees’ criminal records and separated them into groups for further screening. Support was also provided to young people and women, with officials saying the process followed principles of human rights, safety and dignity.
Cyber police conducted the screening alongside the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Ministry of Labour and investigators.
Cyber Police Bureau commander Pol Lt Gen Thinnakorn Rangmat said anyone identified as a trafficking victim would receive care and protection immediately.
Investigation into alleged scam networks continues
The discovery of 18 people with arrest warrants means authorities must distinguish between individuals sought for suspected criminal offences and those who may have been exploited or coerced into working for scam operations.
The screening process is intended to determine each returnee’s circumstances and appropriate legal status. The authorities have not provided further details about the individual warrants or the specific allegations against the 18 people.
The case follows Cambodia’s action against suspected transnational scam networks and highlights the cross-border coordination required to investigate online fraud while identifying potential trafficking victims.
