Archive · 31 Jan 2026
Cambodia Arrests Spark Mass Exodus from Scam Compounds
In Cambodia, two big bosses of online scam groups were arrested.
This caused thousands of workers, many of whom were tricked into coming to Cambodia, to leave their workplaces.
These workers were often forced to scam people online for little or no money.
Some workers had to run away quickly and are now trying to go back home.
The government says they are trying to stop these scams, but some experts think more needs to be done to catch all the people involved.
Arrests of Chen Zhi and Ly Kuong led to the release of thousands of workers from scam compounds.
Workers were often trafficked with false promises of good jobs and forced to run online scams.
Over 2,750 workers sought repatriation assistance, with many facing uncertain futures.
Experts say more needs to be done to investigate and arrest high-profile individuals involved in scams.
Cambodian officials claim zero tolerance for online scams and human trafficking, but actions are debated.
- Who
- Chen Zhi, Ly Kuong, and thousands of trafficked workers
- What
- Arrests of scam ringleaders leading to mass exodus from scam compounds
- When
- January 2024
- Where
- Cambodia
- Why
- Government crackdown on transnational scam networks
- Arrested Individuals
- Chen Zhi, Ly Kuong
- Estimated Annual Revenue
- $19 billion
- Estimated Trafficked Workers
- 100,000
- Workers Seeking Repatriation
- 2,750+
- Countries Affected
- Indonesia, China, African nations