Cambodia has deported a large group of Taiwanese nationals accused of fraud to China, disregarding requests from Taiwan for transparency and due process. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the deportations occurred without prior disclosure of the suspects’ nationalities or the release of a comprehensive list of names, raising serious concerns in Taipei. The report was first published by Radio Free Asia (RFA).

The controversy began following a major police raid in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, on March 31, where authorities arrested around 180 Taiwanese individuals and seven Chinese nationals linked to an online fraud network. The operation targeted a scam ring suspected of orchestrating widespread digital fraud schemes across the region.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it was notified of the arrests on April 1 and immediately initiated communication through its representative office in Ho Chi Minh City, due to the absence of formal diplomatic relations with Cambodia. Despite the outreach, Taiwan claims it received no clarity on the identities or nationalities of those detained, even after nearly 190 suspects were deported to China in three separate groups between Sunday night and early Monday morning.

The ministry expressed frustration over Cambodia’s refusal to share crucial details. “Under pressure from China, Cambodia did not provide a list of our nationals or the overall number deported, and the ministry not only continues to press Cambodia to deliver the list promptly but also expresses its serious concern and protest,” the ministry said in a statement quoted by RFA.

Taiwan Urges Legal Transparency, Decries Diplomatic Stonewalling

In its official communication, Taiwan requested the Cambodian government to furnish a full list of the Taiwanese detainees and to repatriate them to Taiwan for prosecution under international legal norms. However, Cambodian authorities have yet to respond with the requested information or confirm the exact number of Taiwanese nationals among those deported.

The diplomatic standoff is further complicated by Cambodia’s recognition of Beijing’s “One China” policy, meaning it does not formally acknowledge Taiwan as a sovereign state. As a result, Taiwan lacks direct diplomatic representation in Cambodia and must rely on alternative regional offices for communication.

A Broader Regional Pattern of Deportation

This case follows a troubling trend of Taiwanese fraud suspects being sent to China from various countries despite calls from Taipei for repatriation. Nations including Kenya, Spain, and Cambodia have previously extradited Taiwanese citizens to the People’s Republic of China instead of Taiwan.

According to Taiwan’s government estimates, over 600 Taiwanese nationals arrested overseas for alleged involvement in telecom and online scams were extradited to China between 2016 and May 2024. Taiwanese officials argue that these actions undermine their judicial sovereignty and violate international legal standards.

Criminal Networks in Cambodia’s Scam Economy

Cambodia has increasingly become a hotspot for organised scam operations, often involving human trafficking and forced labour. These fraudulent schemes are frequently controlled by Chinese criminal syndicates, operating from fortified compounds in cities like Sihanoukville. Victims from Taiwan, Myanmar, and other Asian countries are reportedly lured with fake job offers, only to be forced into participating in online scams once trapped.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei continues to urge Cambodia to release a full list of the deported individuals and to respect Taiwan’s jurisdiction over its citizens. However, with Cambodia remaining unresponsive and aligning closely with Beijing’s directives, the issue underscores the ongoing diplomatic challenges Taiwan faces on the international stage.

Taiwan’s concerns over the deportation of its citizens from Cambodia to China reflect broader geopolitical tensions and highlight issues of judicial autonomy and international cooperation. As Taiwan presses for answers, the lack of transparency from Cambodian authorities adds to the growing unease over how transnational crime cases involving Taiwanese nationals are being handled across the region.