An additional 46 Nepalis, who were trafficked to Cambodia under various forms of deception and forced into illegal online scam operations and casino-linked fraud activities, have been rescued and repatriated, according to the Nepali embassy in Thailand.

The embassy said they were rescued on April 13 and 14 and sent home with the support of the Nepali embassy in Bangkok and the Cambodian government.

Some Nepalis in Cambodia have been forced into illegal activities, including online fraud, while others have been found without visas or overstaying their visas, the embassy said. It warned that the Cambodian government enforces strict laws against such activities, with penalties ranging from a minimum of two years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment, along with heavy fines.

Authorities have received reports that Nepali citizens in Cambodia are being exploited in online fraud networks and other unlawful activities, with many having their passports confiscated by employers or losing them while being transferred between locations.

In such cases, the embassy said it provides a free one-way travel permit to facilitate return to Nepal, with detailed procedures available on its official website.

Earlier, 51 Nepali nationals trafficked under similar circumstances were rescued and repatriated in coordination with the Nepali embassy and the Cambodian government. They left Cambodia on March 24 and arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport the following day.

The embassy highlighted a sharp rise in Nepali arrivals in Cambodia in recent years, citing tourism data showing that 21,098 Nepalis travelled to Cambodia over the past five years.

It has urged individuals to obtain labour approval before going abroad for employment and to avoid being lured into illegal work by promises of attractive earnings on tourist visas.

The embassy has also called on media and civil society to help raise awareness on the issue.