Mass Exodus from Cambodian Scam Compounds as Global Pressure Mounts
In a significant development, thousands of individuals, many suspected to be victims of human trafficking, have reportedly fled or been released from scam compounds across Cambodia in recent days. This mass exodus comes amid escalating international pressure to dismantle the multibillion-dollar cyber fraud industry that has flourished in the region.
International Response and Embassy Reports
The Indonesian embassy in Phnom Penh has confirmed receiving reports from 1,440 of its nationals who have been freed from these centres. Simultaneously, large queues of Chinese nationals have been observed outside the Chinese embassy, indicating a widespread release of workers from various scam operations.
Amnesty International has conducted a thorough analysis, geolocating 15 videos and images while reviewing social media posts that appear to document escape attempts and releases from at least ten different scamming compounds throughout Cambodia. While exact figures remain elusive, Amnesty estimates the number of those released to be in the thousands.
Uncertain Role of Authorities and Lack of Support
Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International's regional research director, highlighted the ambiguous role of police during these releases. "It is hard to determine what role the police are playing in the releases," Ferrer stated, noting that police are visible in some footage but absent in others.
A pressing concern is the inadequate support for released workers. Ferrer added, "Some have been seen walking around in search of assistance – and we also know that some people have managed to get to safe houses." Without proper aid, there is a genuine risk that individuals could simply be relocated to new scamming sites, a pattern observed in previous releases.
The Scale of Cambodia's Scam Industry
The online scam sector has expanded rapidly across Southeast Asia in recent years, with Cambodia being a significant hub. The United Nations estimates that approximately 100,000 people work within these compounds. Many are lured under false pretences, accepting jobs only to be held against their will and coerced into executing various online frauds, including romance-investment scams and cryptocurrency fraud.
According to estimates from the United States Institute of Peace, cyber scamming in Cambodia generates an annual return exceeding $12.5 billion, which equates to half of the country's formal GDP.
International Sanctions and Government Stance
Jacob Sims, a visiting fellow at Harvard University's Asia Center, described the recent releases as unprecedented in Cambodia. "It is extremely clear that this is all being precipitated by escalating international pressure," Sims remarked, highlighting the historic sanctions imposed by the UK and US on October 14 against Chen Zhi.
Chen Zhi, a Chinese-born Cambodian tycoon and chairman of Prince Group, was sanctioned by both nations last October. The US accused him of operating a "transnational criminal empire through online investment scams targeting Americans and others worldwide." In a significant move, Chen was arrested and extradited to China earlier this month, marking the most substantial action taken against criminal syndicates within Cambodia to date.
Prime Minister Hun Manet has publicly pledged on Facebook to "eliminate … all the problems related to the crime of cyber scams." However, the Cambodian government did not respond to requests for comment regarding the recent releases.
Ongoing Challenges and Complicity Allegations
Sims cautioned that while the releases are promising, the issue may resurface if international pressure wanes. "This industry obviously has gotten to the point where it's sort of too big to fail. It's a major regime patrimonial resource," he explained, noting its deep entrenchment in the local economy.
The Cambodian government has repeatedly faced accusations of complicity in the scam industry. The US Trafficking in Persons Report for 2024 warned that some senior officials and advisers in Cambodia own properties and facilities used by online scam operators, directly benefiting from these crimes. The report stated that this involvement leads to "selective and politically motivated enforcement of laws, inhibiting effective law enforcement action against trafficking crimes."
In response, Cambodia has denied any government complicity, asserting that it "has never supported, nor will it ever tolerate, cybercriminal activity" and remains committed to "integrity, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law and international norms."
The situation remains fluid, with the future trajectory heavily dependent on sustained international scrutiny and robust support mechanisms for those escaping these exploitative environments.
