"Cambodian officials bust cross-border call scam, rescue 19 Thai nationals", 18 March 2024

A call scam gang operating from Oddar Meanchey in Cambodia was infiltrated by Cambodian officials …, resulting in the rescue of 19 Thai nationals.

The operation was sparked by a distress call received by Thai officials from one of the victims …, as revealed by Major General Nat Sri-in, the commander of the Suranaree Task Force.

This large-scale operation, involving 30 Cambodian officials, targeted a call scam centre managed by Taiwanese individuals. The centre was located within a casino complex near the Chong Chom border pass in the KapChoeng district of Surin province. It is estimated that approximately 50 individuals were lured into working for this illicit operation.

The rescued individuals were subjected to harsh work conditions. Those who were unable to meet daily financial targets were punished with physical exertion or electric shocks. The raid …, however, did not result in the apprehension of the Taiwanese scam operators. They managed to escape with their other forced workers, who hailed from China, India, Laos, and Vietnam, …

The victims revealed that the majority of Thai workers were lured into Cambodia through Poipet and subsequently dispatched to various casinos within the country. The shocking revelations from the victims continue to draw attention to the dark underbelly of cross-border criminal activities…