Nepali Embassy rescues, repatriates 51 Nepalis from online scam operations in Cambodia

KATHMANDU: Fifty-one Nepalis who had fallen victim to illegal online scam operations in Cambodia have been rescued and repatriated to Nepal.

The Nepali Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, said the victims had travelled to Cambodia through informal channels after being lured by promises of lucrative employment. Upon arrival, they were forced to work in illegally operated online scamming centres and casinos and, in some cases, were involved in other illegal activities. Many were also found to be living without valid passports. The Embassy carried out the rescue operation with support from the Cambodian Embassy, and the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) in Cambodia also facilitated the efforts.

The Embassy shared that efforts are ongoing to identify and repatriate other Nepali nationals who are stranded or facing difficult conditions in Cambodia. It is reported that some Nepali workers are being exploited in online fraud schemes and other illegal work, often overstaying visas or residing without proper documentation. Authorities at the Embassy have noted complaints from the victims that their passports were confiscated by employers or lost during transfers between online scamming centres. In such cases, the Embassy has been issuing free one-way travel permits to facilitate their return home, the Embassy said.

Nepali citizens residing illegally in Cambodia have been urged to contact the Nepali Embassy in Thailand or representatives of the NRNA in Cambodia to facilitate their return to Nepal.

According to Cambodia’s tourism data, the number of Nepalis travelling to Cambodia on visit visas has increased sharply in recent years, from 101 in 2021 to 1,977 in 2022. The number rose to 2,940 in 2023, 6,404 in 2024 and 9,676 in 2025.

The Embassy has therefore called on Nepali citizens to follow official procedures, including obtaining a labour permit before going abroad for employment. It also appealed to them not to seek foreign employment under the pretext of travel to countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, and warned against being lured by the temptation of quick money and promises of high earnings.