Some of the nearly 600 suspected scam artists arrested in the crackdown on a massive Asian Internet swindling ring are headed to their home countries.

Officials from nations that participated in the raids said deportations began Saturday.

Taiwanese police announced the arrests Friday, saying suspects had been detained in Taiwan as well as in Cambodia, mainland China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Police said about 400 suspects are Taiwanese citizens, with another 180 coming from mainland China.

Authorities say the suspects used Internet telephone services to call victims and trick them into sending money to online accounts. For instance, some victims were told they owed traffic fines that had to be paid immediately.

It is not clear where the suspects will be tried, but Cambodia had said it would deport those it arrested to their home countries.

Taiwan's top police officer, Wang Cho-chiun says his department and mainland China's Ministry of Public Security coordinated on the investigation and arrests.