A significant number of individuals, many believed to be victims of human trafficking, have reportedly left or been freed from illicit online scam operations in Cambodia in recent days. The movement follows mounting international scrutiny of the multi-billion dollar industry.
Diplomatic sources indicate a surge in nationals seeking assistance. The Indonesian embassy in Phnom Penh has registered over 1,400 of its citizens claiming release from these centers, while large groups have also been observed outside the Chinese embassy.
Evidence reviewed from social media and geolocated footage appears to document exits and escape attempts from numerous compounds across the country. While precise numbers are unavailable, estimates suggest those departing number in the thousands.
The circumstances surrounding these departures remain unclear. In some instances, police presence is noted; in others, it is absent. A primary concern now is the welfare of those who have left the compounds. Reports indicate many individuals are now adrift without immediate support or safe refuge, raising fears they could be vulnerable to re-trafficking into other criminal operations.
The online scamming sector has expanded rapidly in parts of Southeast Asia. In Cambodia, United Nations assessments suggest up to 100,000 people may be working inside fortified compounds. Many are lured by false job promises and then held against their will, forced to conduct fraudulent online activities ranging from fake romantic investments to cryptocurrency schemes.
Analysts describe the current exodus as an unprecedented development, directly linking it to intensified global pressure. A pivotal moment cited is the coordinated sanctions imposed by the United States and United Kingdom last October against a key Cambodian business figure, Chen Zhi, who was later arrested and extradited to China. The sanctions accused him of overseeing a vast transnational criminal network based on investment scams.
While Cambodia’s leadership has publicly vowed to eradicate cyber-scam crimes, skepticism remains about the sustainability of this crackdown. Observers warn that without continued international focus, the deeply entrenched industry—described as a major illicit revenue stream—could easily resurface. Previous reports from international bodies have alleged complicity by some Cambodian officials and elites, accusations the government has consistently denied.
Independent analyses suggest the scale of the cyber-scam economy in Cambodia is colossal, with estimated annual returns rivaling a significant portion of the nation’s formal economic output. The situation underscores the challenge of dismantling a criminal enterprise that has become deeply embedded within the region.