PHNOM PENH — A global human rights crisis reached a boiling point in Cambodia this week as Amnesty International issued an urgent plea for the protection of thousands of migrants currently escaping clandestine “scamming compounds.” On Friday, January 16, 2026, the rights group verified footage showing mass releases and desperate escape attempts from at least 10 major sites, sparking fears that liberated victims now face the threat of homelessness, deportation, or being “re-trafficked” into the shadow economy.
The sudden upheaval follows a high-profile crackdown by the Cambodian government, which recently culminated in the extradition of alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi to China. However, observers warn that while the “scam centers” are emptying, the humanitarian response for the survivors remains dangerously inadequate.
Inside the “Hellish” Compounds
Amnesty International’s January report, based on months of geolocation and witness testimony, describes a multibillion-dollar industry fueled by forced labor.
- The Modus Operandi: Migrants from over 56 countries are lured by fake job advertisements for “high-paying office roles.” Upon arrival, their passports are confiscated, and they are imprisoned in fortified hotels or casinos.
- The “Pig-Butchering” Scams: Captives are forced to work 16-hour days, engaging in sophisticated online romance or investment fraud. Those who fail to meet targets are subjected to electric shocks, severe beatings, and starvation.
- State Complicity: Despite government claims of a “nationwide crackdown,” rights groups have long alleged that these compounds flourish under the protection of local elites and complicit law enforcement.
The Current Crisis: Stranded and Vulnerable
As the compounds undergo a “preemptive shifting of resources” ahead of police raids, thousands of people are now pouring into the streets of hubs like Sihanoukville and Bavet, carrying their meager belongings in suitcases.
| Current Risk | Description |
| Re-trafficking | Criminal networks are reportedly “scooping up” fleeing workers to move them to new sites in Myanmar or Laos. |
| Criminalization | Many survivors are being processed as “illegal immigrants” in detention centers rather than being recognized as trafficking victims. |
| Forced Repatriation | Amnesty warns that victims must not be sent back to countries where they face political persecution. |
| Lack of Support | There is currently no state-led mechanism providing housing, medical care, or legal aid to those escaping the compounds. |
A Call for Immediate Reform
“The Cambodian government must provide support for these individuals and help bring all remaining victims to safety,” stated Montse Ferrer, Amnesty’s Regional Research Director. The group is calling for:
- Victim Identification: Shifting from an “immigration-first” to a “protection-first” legal framework.
- Accountability: Prosecuting not only the traffickers but also the landlords and companies that leased the facilities used for enslavement.
- Trauma-Informed Support: Providing immediate psychological and medical care for survivors of torture.
As billionaire masterminds face extradition, the focus of the international community has shifted to the thousands of “unseen” laborers whose lives remain in limbo. For these survivors, the end of their imprisonment is only the beginning of a long and uncertain road to justice.
