Hundreds of Nepalis still trapped in Cambodian scam compounds despite crackdown

The Kathmandu Post reports with deep concern on the ongoing plight of hundreds of Nepali citizens ensnared in sophisticated scam operations within Cambodia. Despite official crackdowns, these individuals remain trapped in coercive environments, forced into fraudulent activities after being deceived by recruiters with promises of legitimate employment.

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We have not yet received full details of how many are in each location.

Our embassy in Thailand, which also serves Cambodia, is actively engaged, formally requesting the Cambodian government to facilitate the repatriation of 277 Nepalis by waiving overstay fines. The recent detention of approximately 100 more individuals following a raid highlights the persistent scale of this crisis. While communication with Cambodian authorities is pending due to a public holiday, the embassy remains in contact with those detained, understanding that formal custody often simplifies repatriation.

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There was gunfire during the raid. We did not run. We surrendered ourselves. We were brought to a shelter afterwards. We need to be rescued immediately. We are innocent. Hundreds of Nepalis are trapped here, and many have tried to escape.

Victims who have managed to reach us paint a grim picture of life inside these compounds. They describe being lured with lucrative offers for roles like security guards, only to be forced into online scams. Many have paid substantial amounts, often between Rs800,000 and Rs1 million, to intermediaries, frequently fellow Nepalis, for travel arrangements. These operations are reportedly managed by Chinese operators who exploit the desperation of those seeking work.

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People working here inform Chinese operators, who are constantly looking for workers. They say there is a job as a security guard or bodyguard and ask for around Rs800,000. We paid the money and came.

These individuals were brought to Cambodia on tourist visas and handed over to various groups upon arrival, with some managers identified as Nepalis. The true nature of the work is deliberately concealed, with promises of a one-year visa and safe employment masking the reality of scam centers and significant risks. The constant threat of police raids leads to frequent relocations, further isolating the victims and making escape or communication with the outside world exceedingly difficult. This situation is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities exploited by transnational criminal networks and the urgent need for robust protective measures for our citizens abroad.

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They do not tell you that this is a scam centre or that there are risks. They promise a one-year visa and safe work. We were previously moved from one location to another whenever there were police raids.