KATHMANDU, March 25: A total of 51 Nepali nationals who fell victim to online scams in Cambodia have been rescued and repatriated to Nepal.
According to officials, the individuals had travelled to Cambodia through various channels after being lured by false promises. They were later forced to work in illegal online scamming centers and casinos, often without valid documents.
The rescue was carried out at the initiative of the Nepali Embassy in Thailand, in coordination with the Cambodian government, with support from the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Cambodia. The victims were brought back to Nepal safely.
Three Nepalis rescued from online scam operations in Myanmar
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to repatriate other Nepalis stranded or facing difficulties in Cambodia. The embassy has received reports that many Nepalis are engaging in fraudulent activities and are staying without passports or beyond their visa period.
In several cases, victims reported that their passports were confiscated by companies or lost during transfers between scam centers. In such situations, the Nepali Embassy in Bangkok has been issuing one-way travel permits free of cost to facilitate their return.
Data shows a sharp rise in the number of Nepalis travelling to Cambodia in recent years. While 101 Nepalis visited Cambodia on tourist visas in 2021, the number increased to 1,977 in 2022, 2,940 in 2023, 6,404 in 2024, and 9,676 in 2025.
The embassy has urged Nepali citizens to seek proper labor approval before going abroad for employment and to avoid falling for offers promising quick and high earnings in countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.
