KATHMANDU, MARCH 31
Twelve Nepali nationals stranded in Cambodia after being lured into illegal online scam operations and other unlawful activities have been rescued and repatriated to Nepal through the initiative of the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok.
According to the embassy, the individuals had reached Cambodia through various means under false promises and were later forced to work in illegal online scamming centres and casinos, while some were residing without valid visas. With the coordination of the Cambodian government and facilitation by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Cambodia, the rescued individuals departed Cambodia on Monday and arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport on Tuesday.
The embassy said efforts are ongoing to repatriate other Nepali nationals who are stranded or facing difficulties in Cambodia.
The mission has received information that several Nepalis in Cambodia have been engaged in online fraud and other illegal activities, often without valid visas or overstaying their permitted duration. It has urged those in such situations to immediately contact the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok or representatives of NRNA Cambodia for assistance.
The embassy also noted complaints from victims that their passports were confiscated by companies or lost during transfers between scam centres. In such cases, the embassy provides a one-way travel permit free of cost to facilitate their return to Nepal.
Data from Cambodia's tourism authorities show a sharp rise in Nepali arrivals in recent years-from 101 in 2021 to 9,676 in 2025-raising concerns over increasing cases of exploitation.
The embassy has reiterated its appeal to Nepali citizens to follow government procedures, including obtaining labour approval before seeking foreign employment, and to avoid travelling to countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand on visit visas under the lure of quick and high earnings.
It also called on media and civil society to help disseminate awareness on the risks associated with such practices.
