Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng on Wednesday dismissed rumours of ulterior motives behind the deportation of a Chinese “scammer” group.

Responding to speculation on social media that the recent arrest and deportation of 168 Chinese nationals, including 19 women, had come as the result of undue Chinese influence over the government, Kheng asserted: “It’s not related with any political issue.”

Addressing students at the Cambodian Police Academy, the interior minister said the deportees were “a criminal group who [operated in] Cambodia to scam traders, investors and businesses in China via internet and phone”.

Their timely arrest was likely to make a favourable impression on foreign investors eyeing the Kingdom’s security situation, he added.

Khun Sambo, deputy head of the Immigration Department, yesterday reaffirmed the minister’s statement. “Police are committed to working hard to . . . eliminate crime from our country,” he said.

Chinese authorities arranged a flight that returned the 168 suspects on Tuesday.