Phnom Penh, Cambodia – After enduring two weeks of captivity, forced labor, and abuse, **Tao, a Chinese citizen, was rescued from a scam compound near Cambodia’s Morodok Techo National Stadium. His ordeal, which began on January 26, 2025, sheds light on the growing reach forced labour and scam syndicates in Southeast Asia. Tao was deceived by a fake job offer and forced to exploit his Douyin (Chinese TikTok) following to recruit other victims.
According to a local driver who regularly picks up “customers” from the airport and this particular scam buildings to nearby hotels, the building in question only started operating in June 2024. The driver revealed that the building previously housed a handful of Indian workers but the Chinese boss ordered them to leave as the Indian workers were found calling the police. He also mentioned that a small group of Khmer individuals had worked there briefly but were similarly removed, as the Chinese boss wanted only Chinese nationals within the compound.
We visited the building and confirmed ongoing construction, with visible bricks and construction materials present. However, the exact nature of the construction work remains unclear. Tao also reported that the first to third levels of the building were completely sealed to prevent escape, with all doors on the first level locked to stop anyone from exiting.
However, beyond Tao’s personal ordeal lies a troubling reality. Scam networks are not operating in remote or isolated areas—they’re thriving just steps away from high-profile, internationally recognized landmarks. The question remains: how are such criminal operations able to exist openly in plain sight?
A Scam Center Hidden in Plain Sight
The building where Tao was held is shockingly close to the Morodok Techo National Stadium, a venue built to showcase Cambodia's progress on the world stage. The stadium recently hosted the 2023 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, attracting thousands of visitors from across the region. Yet, just a short distance away, a criminal syndicate had established several buildings involved in human trafficking, forced labor, online scams, and even hidden gambling operations.
A photograph taken inside the building’s elevator revealed a poster advertising a casino on the first floor—an operation invisible to the public but accessible to select clients. This discovery highlights the elaborate façade these networks use to conceal their criminal activities while operating in full view of local authorities. Upon a closer look, inside the building’s elevator, there was another poster saying 'Welcome to Cambodia 2023.' After researching online, we realized that the 2023 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games hosted in Cambodia used the same color theme. This raises suspicions that the building may have hosted delegates during the games due to its close proximity to the stadium venue. This discovery highlights the elaborate façade these networks use to conceal their criminal activities while operating in full view of local authorities.
The fact that such scams can thrive so close to a national landmark raises serious concerns about law enforcement, oversight, and corruption. How can a country that hosts international sporting events and invites global tourism allow criminal enterprises to flourish under its nose? For many, this contradiction erodes confidence in Cambodia's ability to ensure public safety and uphold the rule of law.
The Trap: A Job Offer That Turned into a Nightmare
Tao ordeal began in October 2024, when he left Guangzhou, China, for a job at a car dealership in Phnom Penh. The position promised a $1,000 monthly salary, but after over two months of hard work, he was paid only $800. Frustrated, Tao searched for better opportunities.
In Sihanoukville, Tao met a Chinese man at a hotel who had approached him as a potential client, expressing interest in renting a car. The man befriended Tao, gradually gaining his trust by sharing stories about his various business ventures. Eventually, he offered Tao a promising role in a "new project" with higher pay. Desperate for a better opportunity, Tao accepted the offer.
On January 26, 2025, Tao was escorted to his supposed new job site in a black Toyota Alphard. Upon arrival near Morodok Techo National Stadium, Tao grew uneasy, noticing heavy security around the area. When he attempted to leave, he was ambushed by six men, beaten, and dragged inside the compound. He soon learned that his captors were Chinese nationals from Henan Province, who had previously crossed into Cambodia from Myanmar without proper travel documents.
His captors quickly confiscated Tao's passport under the pretense of needing it to rent a car. They took several photos of the document and assured him it would be returned. However, after that moment, Tao never saw his passport again. The confiscation marked the beginning of his total loss of control over his freedom.
Forced Labor and Psychological Torture
Inside the building, Tao's captors forced him to work as part of their scam operations. His Douyin following became a tool of exploitation as the syndicate coerced him into luring others with fake job offers. Under constant surveillance, Tao was beaten repeatedly whenever he resisted.
"I worked until three or four in the morning every day," Tao recalled. "They made me deceive people online. If I refused, I would be beaten again. I was terrified every second of the day."
The abuse wore him down mentally and emotionally. Isolated from the outside world, Tao was manipulated into believing that escape was impossible and that no one would help him.
This constant abuse broke Tao’s spirit. With his identity and passport stolen, his captors convinced him that he had no chance of escape or rescue. A day before Tao was rescued by MOI, he contacted us saying that the company had ordered him to record a video stating, 'My name is Tao from xxx province of China, I came here willingly and I will obey the company order.' The company then hit him just to scare him, saying, 'Since we are not going to return to China, we have no problems breaking your legs".
Breaking Through Fear: GASO’s Intervention
For weeks, Tao had lived in a state of terror and isolation, manipulated and abused by a ruthless syndicate. When GASO first reached out to him, his trauma had rendered him deeply mistrustful—even of those offering help. Having been deceived and beaten daily, Tao demanded concrete proof that their intentions were genuine.
“He was shaking and constantly on edge,” recalled a our caseworker. “He had been beaten daily and needed constant reassurance. It took time, but eventually, we gained his trust.”
As Tao slowly began to open up, we uncovered disturbing evidence beyond his personal ordeal. Their investigation revealed that the building was undergoing significant construction—a clear sign that the syndicate was expanding its operations. On February 6, 2025, surveillance confirmed the development of new buildings, intensifying the urgency of the rescue.
Although the initial plan was to carry out the operation on February 8, events on the ground shifted dramatically. On February 8, 2025 late afternoon, local police successfully rescued Tao. However, the rescue operation soon took an unsettling turn. During the process, a police translator instructed Tao to write a letter declaring that no abuse or beatings had occurred—directly contradicting the evidence and his earlier accounts. This coerced written statement was intended to discredit the reports of his suffering and obscure the true extent of the syndicate’s brutality.
The situation grew more complex when, after the initial rescue, the police escorted Tao to the first level of the scam building—a site central to the syndicate’s operations. In a bizarre turn of events. According to Tao, during his time in the building he witnessed a disturbing scene: he claimed he saw representatives from the scam center passing money to the police unsure what it is for. Shortly after this unsettling encounter, he was escorted to a nearby police station.
Even as Tao was removed from the environment of terror, these forced actions and witnessed exchanges raised troubling questions about the integrity of the rescue operation. His coerced letter, the dinner at the scam building, and the alleged monetary exchange pointed to a deliberate attempt to rewrite the narrative. Tao’s story—and the evidence gathered by GASO—remains a crucial element in the ongoing struggle to expose corruption and ensure accountability, despite the powerful forces trying to bury the truth.
Protection from the Shadows: Who Guards These Operations?
The location of the scam compound near a major national landmark raises serious concerns about complicity. Who is protecting these buildings, allowing them to operate so brazenly? Reports from survivors suggest that certain compounds are shielded by powerful figures, with law enforcement either turning a blind eye or actively collaborating with criminal networks.
The Role of Social Media in Modern Scam Operations
Tao’s case underscores the critical role of platforms like Douyin and WeChat in facilitating scams. Criminal networks exploit these platforms to recruit victims, taking advantage of their vast reach. Experts have called on social media companies to implement stronger measures to detect and block such activities. Additionally, cross-border cooperation between governments is essential to dismantle these transnational networks.
A Message of Survival and Hope
Since his rescue, Tao has become an advocate for other victims, sharing his story to raise awareness about the dangers of trafficking and scams.
"I survived because someone believed in me and came to help," Tao said. "Many others are still suffering, too afraid to speak out. We must continue fighting for those who cannot raise their voices. Together, we can end this nightmare."
His words serve as a call to action for governments, tech companies, and the global community to prioritize the fight against human trafficking/ forced labour and scam operations.
A Call for Accountability and Reform