In recent years, disturbing accounts from Cambodia have revealed a complex web of corruption in which scam centers—originally designed to defraud unsuspecting individuals—have become inextricably linked with corrupt rescue operations. Victims of these scams are not only trapped by fraudulent schemes but are further exploited by the very institutions meant to protect them. From dubious rescue operations to abusive detentions and overt extortion, a shadowy corruption network has emerged, leaving victims speechless and hopeless.
The Two Main Avenues of “Rescue”
Victims of scam centers in Cambodia are typically advised to use one of two official channels to escape their predicament:
Contacting the Ministry of Interior (MOI): This method is widely regarded as the safer option. Victims are encouraged to provide full details of their situation, after which the MOI coordinates with provincial authorities. In theory, this should trigger a swift rescue operation. Importantly, the MOI itself is not corrupt. However, the process can be undermined by local police officers—tasked with executing these operations—who have been known to contact scam center operators before arriving. This collusion enables operators to “release” the victim back into an environment where exploitation continues.
Contacting Local Police Directly: Some victims choose to reach out directly to local police numbers. Unfortunately, this approach is equally fraught with peril. Rather than facilitating a prompt rescue, these direct contacts often result in collusion between police and scam centers. In some cases, officers initiate communication with victims via messaging platforms, demanding bribes or tips in exchange for processing documents.
Recent Developments: A Family’s Ordeal and Escalation of Collusion
A new account has emerged that further underscores the deep-seated collusion between Cambodian police and scam facility operators. A few days ago, a family member of a victim trapped in a Cambodian scam facility contacted the local police via an official hotline number provided by the Chinese Embassy and added a local officer on WeChat. Shortly after this connection was made, the Cambodian police subtly hinted that the family should provide a “tip.”(In the attached screenshots, the left-side avatar represents the Cambodian police’s WeChat account, while the right-side shows that of the victim’s family member.)
After the family transferred the tip, the scam facility received word the very next day and preemptively relocated the victim, effectively cutting off all contact with his family. The facility boss then directly contacted the victim’s family, demanding a payment of USD 20,000 (approximately 145,000 RMB) before promising to release the victim. The family has since informed that the victim has been “resold” and is now in very poor condition.
These events have led to reasonable suspicions that local police and facility bosses are operating in cahoots. It is especially troubling that the police officer who accepted the tip was reached through contact information provided by the Chinese Embassy—information that lends an official veneer to an already dubious process. Furthermore, this particular hotline is one of the emergency numbers officially published by Cambodian authorities.
In addition to this case, there is information about several other Chinese nationals trapped in similar scam facilities. Although their families have reported these cases to Chinese authorities—and some have even shared the locations of these scam centers—they remain too fearful to seek help from the Cambodian police, suspecting widespread collusion. The demand for accountability is growing, with urgent appeals for the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Cambodia and other relevant departments to follow up on these matters and help expose the ongoing corruption.
The Corrupt Process: From Detention to Immigration
Once a victim falls into the hands of local authorities, the ordeal is far from over:
Police Station Lockup: Victims are typically taken to a police station, where they must record their statements. This phase can last anywhere from 25 to 35 days. During this time, local police officers routinely extort small fees when they purchase food from outside—per delivery a fee of 10,000 riels (US$2.50)—and often coerce victims or their families into exchanging currency notes.
These payments serve as a precondition for progressing the case, with officers threatening that without payment, essential documents will not be forwarded further to the immigration. Although the MOI oversees these processes at a higher level, the corruption lies squarely with the local police enforcing these measures.
Extended Detention at Immigration: After the initial police station phase, cases are transferred to immigration authorities. Detention periods vary significantly—while some individuals are held for an average of 2–3 months, there are reports of victims being detained for 6 months or even longer. Disturbingly, a trend of nationality-based extortion has emerged. For example, Chinese victims may be charged between USD 1,500 and 2,000 to expedite their release—presumably because they are seen as wealthier—while victims of other nationalities might be charged significantly less. In some cases, bribery to “buy freedom” has escalated to fees ranging from USD 15,000 for those with clean records to as much as USD 35,000 for individuals with criminal histories, and in extreme instances, even millions. This corruption appears to be intrinsic to the immigration system rather than driven by any higher-level ministry.
So, how does the USD 1,500–2,000 fee work? The immigration department is very large, with many staff members; however, only a small group is actually involved in expediting releases. For instance, one officer might handle the actual processing (let's call them Police A), while another (Police B) extorts money from the victim, acting as an intermediary. In some cases, up to three intermediaries become involved, further inflating the fee. Once payment is made, victims are typically released within 16 days—often, just a few days. Interestingly, victims of other nationalities who lack embassy representation reportedly are released faster than their Chinese and Taiwanese counterparts.
Additionally, many victims have reported being instructed to alter their statements while at the police station. In one notable instance, Tang—a Chinese victim rescued on February —claimed that a police translator directed him to change his statement to assert that he had not been abused or beaten. The translator further advised him to record a statement stating this false narrative, promising that such a statement would facilitate his faster release.
Abuse of Power: Victim Testimonies and Systemic Exploitation
The corruption extends beyond bureaucratic delays and extortion—it manifests as a blatant abuse of power by those tasked with rescue operations. Several testimonies highlight this disturbing trend:
Confiscation of Personal Property: A Taiwanese victim recounted being rescued by the Police Inspectorship of Takhmao Town only to have his personal watch—worth around USD 200—confiscated by officers simply because “they liked it.” This arbitrary seizure of personal property underscores the extent to which authority is misused for personal gain. He was also asked to pay a few hundred dollars so that they will sent him to the immigration.
Coercive Bribery and Fabricated Procedures: In another account, police officers were overheard discussing whether they could accept a USD 100 tip to speed up the submission of documents to the MOI. In a similar vein, a Chinese victim detained in November 2024 was questioned about the existence of a police telegram—a document supposedly used to confirm procedural progress. A lower-ranking officer candidly admitted that no such document existed, dismissing the inquiry with a remark that they “just worked hard.” This admission reveals how fabricated bureaucratic procedures are used to justify delays and additional extortion by the local police.
Victims Rescued in Popiet, Kampat: Several victims rescued in Popiet, Kampat reported that the police station forced them to choose from a set of predetermined options. The authorities insisted that they classify their ordeal as a labor contract dispute—a personal issue with the company—instead of acknowledging the forced labor conditions they were subjected to. One victim sarcastically questioned, "If this were merely a labor contract issue, why are we still trapped? Why hire bodyguards, install wire fences, or even use curtains to block outside view?" This coerced narrative appears designed to mask the true nature of their exploitation.
Desperation Leading Victims Back to the Scam Centers: In an ironic twist that further exposes the system’s failures, at least five victims have reported that they could no longer endure the harsh conditions of police or immigration detention. In a desperate bid for even basic comfort—such as having a bed to sleep on—these victims reached out directly to the scam centers for pickup. This decision, made out of sheer desperation, highlights a systemic failure: when the official system becomes a source of further exploitation, victims are forced to choose between two damaging environments.
Case Study: Chen's Ordeal
Chen, a Chinese national, endured a harrowing experience that further illustrates the exploitative practices within the rescue operations. After being held at a police station for over 35 days, Chen was transferred to Siam Reap Immigration, where the abuse escalated. Upon arrival, local authorities confiscated his phone and demanded a fee of US$650 for its use. This case stands in stark contrast to other incidents reported in 2022–2023, where most victims were either asked to pay around US$300 or simply had to surrender their phone without any additional charge. The significantly higher fee imposed on Chen highlights the arbitrary and inconsistent nature of these extortion practices, underscoring the broader systemic corruption that leaves victims at the mercy of unscrupulous officials.
The Broader Implications and the Call for Reform
These cases are not isolated incidents but are symptomatic of a broader, systemic failure within the institutions designed to protect citizens. The abuse of power—from the confiscation of personal belongings and solicitation of bribes to the fabrication of bureaucratic processes—creates a vicious cycle of exploitation. The very authorities meant to rescue and rehabilitate scam victims are instead contributing to their prolonged suffering.
To break this cycle, urgent reforms are needed:
Enhanced Accountability: There must be rigorous oversight and accountability for law enforcement officers involved in these rescue operations. Acts of corruption—whether confiscating personal property or demanding bribes—should be met with swift disciplinary action.
Transparency in Procedures: Clear, standardized, and transparent procedures are essential to restoring trust. Eliminating fabricated bureaucratic processes—such as the false police telegram—is a critical step toward genuine reform.
Protection and Support for Victims: Beyond immediate rescue, victims require comprehensive support, including legal aid and psychological services, to rebuild their lives. Ensuring that victims are not re-exploited by a corrupt system is paramount.