Thousands Flee Cambodian Scam Compounds, Finding Limited Assistance

BANGKOK (AP) — Recently, Youga was relieved to finally sleep in a bed, despite having no pillow or blanket. After escaping a scam compound in O'Smach near the Thai border, he spent two days sleeping on the street in Phnom Penh, hoping to save his remaining $100. The Caritas shelter, previously funded by the United States, now struggles to support victims, with reduced staff and budget. The shelter is overwhelmed, turning away more than 300 people in need and currently housing around 150 individuals. This crisis stems from an unprecedented exodus of workers from scam compounds following international pressure and Cambodia's recent crackdown on cybercrime. The United Nations estimated up to 100,000 workers in these scam operations in 2023. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet has declared combating cybercrime a political priority, with the government deporting 1,620 foreign nationals linked to scam operations in January. Amnesty International has verified social media evidence of mass departures from these compounds, describing the situation as chaotic and dangerous, with limited intervention from Cambodian authorities.