Phnom penh: 'Don't believe the false promise that money is easy to earn.' This is the warning from a 22-year-old Indonesian man who said he was stranded in Cambodia for more than three years after being lured by a friend with the promise of a high-paying job.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the young man, identified as Andy Agus, shared his ordeal at a public park in Phnom Penh. Andy arrived in Cambodia in 2022 on a tourist visa, expecting to earn between US$800 and US$1,000 per month, as promised by a friend. Instead, he found himself earning less than US$200 after various deductions, while being moved across several provinces under strict supervision.
Andy's experience is not isolated. A Pakistani man recounted a similar story, having been abandoned by his employer in Preah Sihanouk province. Both men became victims of an online crime group, lured by acquaintances and controlled by their employers.
The Cambodian authorities, through the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS), have initiated a crackdown on online scam operations, addressing over 200 cases in 2,500 locations over the past eight months. This has resulted in the deportation of more than 8,000 foreigners and legal actions against over 500 individuals involved in these scams.
Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has emphasized the ongoing commitment to fight these crimes beyond the set deadline of April. During a speech at the annual meeting of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, he highlighted the importance of combating the black and grey economies to protect the legitimate white economy in Cambodia.
Authorities have already closed several locations linked to online scams, including Mango Park 1 and 2, and several casinos in Preah Sihanouk province. Local residents have observed a stark change, with previously bustling areas now appearing deserted after the authorities' intervention.