Eight men who allegedly disguised themselves as monks in Thailand in an effort to con people out of money were deported back to Cambodia on Monday evening and had their robes confiscated, officials said yesterday.

Touch Mony, deputy governor of Banteay Meanchey province’s Poipet town, said the fake monks were sent back to Cambodia along with 59 other illegal migrants.

He said the eight men from Kampot province had confessed to dressing as monks in a bid to get money from passersby. They had agreed to share their earnings between them, he said.

“We interrogated them, but they did not talk much. They could afford to travel back home immediately after their re-education ended,” he added.

With their robes confiscated, the men returned to their homes in football kits.

Seang Senghok, chief of Poipet’s Department of Cults and Religion, said the fake monks had been deported sans robes because the government had suggested the Thais should confiscate them.