Vietnam repatriates 38 citizens from Cambodia, most linked to suspected scam operations

The group was handed over at the Moc Bai international border gate in southern Tay Ninh Province by Cambodian authorities, in coordination with Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security.

According to police, the 29 individuals had worked in areas known as hotspots for online scam syndicates, including the Kim Sa 1, 2, 3 and 4 complexes, Titan King, Tam Thai Tu, Venus, as well as Ly Chau, Shanghai, and sites opposite Xa Mat checkpoint.

These scam compounds, often located in heavily guarded commercial zones along the Cambodia-Vietnam border, have drawn international scrutiny for harboring large-scale fraud operations targeting victims across Asia.

The remaining nine individuals were detained at Cambodian airports or while returning to rented accommodation. 

Two others had just completed prison sentences in Cambodia for drug possession.

Vietnam's criminal police unit and border guards at Moc Bai conducted identity checks and found no outstanding arrest warrants. 

However, 28 of the 38 had exited Vietnam illegally—21 through the Moc Bai border gate, one via Thomo border gate in An Giang Province, and the rest through unspecified routes.

Authorities also reported that three individuals had prior criminal convictions, and five others had police records for offenses including theft, disturbing public order, drug use, and illegal gambling. 

Some had previously been fined for unlawful border crossings.

The group has been transferred to Tay Ninh provincial police and border authorities for further investigation and legal processing.