Exodus from Cambodian Scam Compounds Creates 'Humanitarian Crisis': Amnesty
Mass escapes from online scam compounds in Cambodia have created a humanitarian crisis, leaving thousands of trafficking survivors stranded without state support. Amnesty International reports that people from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas who escaped or were released from at least 17 compounds lack passports, resources, and medical care, putting them at risk of re-trafficking. Survivors describe severe abuse, including physical violence and sexual assault, with some forced to witness killings. Many report Cambodian police and officials failed to intervene during escapes or took no action against operators. Over 220,000 people are estimated to be working in scam compounds in Cambodia and Myanmar, with additional operations across Southeast Asia. The country has become a hub for large-scale cyber fraud, including investment scams using cryptocurrency. Recent arrests and enforcement in Cambodia and Myanmar have been criticized as symbolic, with organized crime maintaining high-level government ties. Amnesty calls for urgent humanitarian aid, consular support, document restoration, and repatriation efforts by both Cambodian and foreign governments to protect survivors and prevent further exploitation.
