Lao authorities handed over 46 Chinese nationals to Chinese officials on 26 May following an immigration crackdown in Oudomxay province, according to provincial police.
The group was among 50 foreign nationals, including four Myanmar citizens, detained during inspections at two hotels in Vang Hai village, Xay district, on 13 May. Investigations for the four Myanmar nationals are ongoing.
Authorities said the operation uncovered dozens of foreigners allegedly staying in the area without valid immigration documents, passports, or clear entry records. Officers also confiscated 53 mobile phones and other personal items.
The crackdown comes as Laos continues efforts to combat illegal immigration and transnational scam networks linked to online fraud.
Early Operations
Earlier, on 21 May, Laos deported 307 Thai nationals following raids on illegal online gambling operations in Vientiane, carried out on 11 and 12 May. Authorities seized laptops, monitors, and smartphones connected to the alleged scams.
Additional operations in late May in Vientiane Capital led to dozens more arrests. On 27 May, police detained 24 Chinese nationals in Xaysettha district, confiscating 26 desktop computers, 170 mobile phones, and other equipment reportedly used in online and phone fraud.
On 26 May, Vientiane police arrested 27 suspects of six nationalities after raiding a hotel in Hatsady village, Chanthabouly district, dismantling a transnational telecommunications scam network. Officers seized hundreds of mobile phones, 14 desktop computers, and eight laptops.
Authorities continue investigations to identify further individuals linked to the network.
