Cambodia has seen a rapidly growing trend of people being recruited from overseas into 'online jobs' since 2021. On arrival however, they have been taken to compounds and forced to engage in online scams, and subsequently abused psychologically and physically if resisting.
Local authorities have raided compounds, established hotlines and complaint systems, and repatriated hundreds of victim-survivors.
Despite these actions, many trafficked victims are likely not being identified, and as a result are not receiving adequate protection or assistance.
This report by Cambodian non-government organisation Legal Support for Women and Children, supported by ASEAN-ACT, explores the circumstances surrounding inbound human trafficking from countries in the region to Cambodia's cyber-scam industry. It provides recommendations for practical steps in order to address this growing trafficking pattern and better protect the victims.
