Sky News Reporter Infiltrates Cambodian Scam Centre and Gets Hired in Minutes
In a startling undercover investigation, a Sky News reporter has exposed the inner workings of a notorious scam centre in Cambodia, securing employment after a mere two-minute interview. This revelation sheds light on the sophisticated and brutal operations behind global online fraud networks.
From Fort Knox to Ghost Town: The Abandoned Compound
More than a year ago, Brother Compound in Phnom Penh was an impenetrable fortress, guarded by barbed wire, high walls, and vigilant security. Today, it stands empty, a ghostly shell left behind after a massive police crackdown. Walking through its deserted corridors, our team discovered a chilling paper trail of evidence detailing the scam operations.
In a dark hallway on the ground floor, a whiteboard outlined instructions in Mandarin on how to deceive victims. The steps involved building emotional relationships with targets before luring them into fake cryptocurrency investment schemes. One note read, "Step 3: How to use emotional grooming to set the stage for stock recommendations and co-ordinated buy-ins." Another bullet point instructed on forcing victims to set up digital wallets and exit at a loss, highlighting the global scale of these scams.
The Engine Room of Deception
Upstairs, the engine room of this enterprise revealed rows of desks, discarded computers, and numbered pouches on walls for mobile phones—personal devices were forbidden during work hours. A list of bonuses promised rewards like a new iPhone for raising 300,000 USDT or a gold necklace for 500,000 USDT, but these incentives primarily benefited the criminal bosses, not the exploited workers.
Everywhere, CCTV cameras and posters listing financial penalties underscored the oppressive environment. Workers faced fines for using personal phones or developing real emotions with clients, with threats of dismissal for repeat offenders. Mattresses piled high downstairs showed how employees were forced to eat, sleep, and breathe scamming, with suitcases of abandoned clothes and photocopied personal information hinting at a hasty escape.
Trafficking and Violence: The Human Cost
The scammers themselves are often victims, trafficked and forced into labour under brutal conditions. Passports are confiscated, and physical violence is a constant threat. Athena, an Indonesian woman using a pseudonym, described being sold to five compounds and witnessing bosses wielding electric Tasers. "When we work normally, the bosses just walk, and they play with the electric shock around us," she recounted, illustrating the terror faced by many.
Despite high-profile arrests, such as the extradition of alleged kingpin Chen Zhi, thousands of freed workers now seek help from embassies, struggling to prove they are trafficking victims rather than villains. Without passports or money, repatriation is a daunting challenge, compounded by horror stories of violence and visible injuries among survivors.
Government Complicity and Crackdown Efforts
The Cambodian government and business elite have faced accusations of profiting from these scam operations, with figures like Senator Ly Yong Phat sanctioned by the US Treasury for facilitating forced labour. The industry is estimated to generate over $12 billion annually, roughly one-third of Cambodia's GDP, underscoring its economic grip.
In response, authorities claim significant efforts to combat scamming, with 118 locations raided in late 2025, nearly 5,000 suspects detained, and over 4,000 illegal foreigners deported. Information Minister Neth Peaktra insisted, "The Royal Government of Cambodia rejects claims that it's failing trafficking victims or tolerating abuse linked to scam compounds." However, the persistence of these centres raises doubts about the effectiveness of these measures.
Undercover Infiltration: A New Scam Hub Emerges
In Sihanoukville, a hub for cyber fraud, the city has transformed into a ghost town, yet scammers brazenly set up new offices. Posing as job seekers on Telegram, our reporter and producer were quickly invited for an interview. Behind a casino on Poulowai Street, a tall grey building buzzed with activity as men carried in new chairs, mattresses, and air conditioning units.
After a guard's check, we ascended to the 31st floor, where recruiters in room 115 asked us to read a script impersonating the legitimate US company KForce. Within two minutes, the reporter was hired, with the only other question being about nationality. The room housed about 30 workers from various countries, with promises of a $1,000 monthly salary and freedom to come and go—unlike more restrictive compounds.
Shockingly, a staff member assured that police would tip off the company before any raids, highlighting alleged corruption. The real KForce confirmed no connection to the call centre and condemned the fraud.
Global Pressure and the Future of Cyber Fraud
This investigation comes amid increased pressure from China and the US, both demanding action against scam centres. Beijing seeks prosecutions as Chinese nationals are trafficked and targeted, while Washington grows impatient with billions lost annually by American citizens. This marks a potential inflection point, but scammers prove adept at evading crackdowns, often reopening shortly after closures in a relentless game of whack-a-mole.
Loosening cyber fraud's grip on Cambodia will require smarter, faster international co-operation. As these shape-shifting operators exploit opportunities and rebuild quickly, the world must catch up to protect victims and dismantle this lucrative, abusive industry for good.
