ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The country’s Foreign Office confirmed on Tuesday that Cambodian authorities have agreed to the early repatriation of 54 Pakistani nationals detained following a raid on a suspected scam compound, offering relief amid concerns over the conditions of those held in custody.
The development follows reports suggesting that more than 200 Pakistanis were being held by Cambodian police in overcrowded detention centres, with limited access to basic facilities. The situation had raised alarm among officials and prompted urgent diplomatic engagement.
According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan’s embassy in Cambodia actively pursued the matter with the host government. The intervention came under the direction of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who had instructed officials to take all necessary steps to support Pakistani nationals abroad.
As a result of these efforts, Cambodian authorities agreed to facilitate the early return of 54 detainees arrested in Siem Reap province during a crackdown on a scamming compound. Officials said arrangements are now under way to organise their departure, with the individuals expected to leave Cambodia once flight plans are finalised.
Statement by the Spokesperson pic.twitter.com/ViIZ2tmYqC
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 28, 2026The Foreign Office added that embassy staff remain engaged with local authorities to ensure the welfare of those still in custody. It noted that, as a goodwill gesture, Cambodian authorities had decided to repatriate the 54 Pakistanis without initiating legal proceedings against them.
The case highlights the growing scale of cyber-enabled fraud networks operating across Southeast Asia. Experts have described the scam industry as a multibillion-dollar enterprise, involving thousands of individuals, some willingly participating while others are coerced into working under organised criminal groups.
A report by the United Nations last year warned that Asian crime syndicates behind such operations were expanding their reach beyond the region, with activities increasingly detected in parts of South America and Africa. The findings pointed to a pattern of networks shifting bases across vulnerable regions to evade law enforcement.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has also noted that these syndicates frequently relocate operations to jurisdictions with weak governance structures and high levels of corruption. Countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar have been identified as key hubs where these activities continue to evolve.
Authorities in Cambodia have intensified efforts in recent months to dismantle scam compounds, which often operate in remote or loosely regulated areas.