Trafficked youth recount horrific tales of hunger in Cambodia

In a harrowing tale of deceit and abuse, young Indians trafficked to Cambodia have recounted the horrific conditions they endured. Food deprivation, cramped living quarters with up to 20 people in a single room, and unsanitary toilets were just some of the torture methods inflicted on them.  “We were forced to work day and night and coerced into scamming people through sexually suggestive messages. We also endured physical and mental abuse,” said one of the rescued youngsters.
The victims initially promised high-paying data entry jobs in Singapore and Bangkok, found themselves transported to Cambodia instead, either by road or air. Upon arrival, they were taken to heavily guarded compounds and subjected to English typing tests. “Victims are coerced to create fake online profiles and engage in chats to lure other Indians. Refusal to comply with the Chinese bosses results in thrashing, confinement in dark rooms, and food deprivation,” they explained.
Once targets were identified, the workers engaged in chats, feigning romance or friendship, and convinced them to invest in cryptocurrency or stocks with promises of high returns. As soon as the victims’ funds were drained, all communication was terminated.
A young man, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Pioneer that he had moved due to a lack of job opportunities in Visakhapatnam. “Once there, we discovered we had been scammed and were given two options: pay Rs 4,000 to leave or stay and participate in fraudulent activities. They made us sign a document agreeing to scam people. I was in Cambodia for a year. We could not report to the police because the Chinese agents bribed the Cambodian police, who ignored our plight. Our team leaders tortured us, denied us food, and restricted access to washrooms. When we saw the Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner’s interview on TV, we revolted and managed to escape. Within two days, 58 of us returned to India,” he explained.
Another youngster highlighted the broader implications: “There are numerous scams, led by Chinese operators, targeting India to weaken its economy. Now, over one lakh Indians in Cambodia are facing torture, besides indulging in illegal activities. We urge them to return and work legally in India.”
A woman from Guntur, who moved to Cambodia due to financial troubles, shared her ordeal. “I was advised by a close acquaintance to move to Cambodia to earn money. I paid him Rs 2 lakh, and after arriving in Cambodia, I paid an additional Rs 500. He immediately abandoned me after introducing me to the scamsters. I was there for two months only but faced severe hardships. Our main targets were people with car pictures, gold ornaments, or retired Indian government officials. Once they trusted us, we would trick them into sending money. We used fake photos, and for video calls, we employed Artificial Intelligence (AI) to morph our faces.”
She added that women were tortured if they took too long in the washrooms, even during their periods. However, some women enjoyed the work as they made huge money from scamming people. “One girl from Mangalagiri swindled ?1 crore from a man and was rewarded Rs 10 lakh. This is in addition to the Rs 4,000 monthly earnings they make,” she said. She was able to return to India due to her poor health, having been locked in a dark room for two days before being given her passport and asked to leave. She borrowed money from friends and returned to India on May 13.
While receiving treatment at the hospital, she saw a news report featuring Cybercrime Inspector Bhavani Prasad about these scams. This prompted her to come forward and speak to the police to prevent others from facing similar situations. The youth further urged both the State and Central governments to generate more job opportunities domestically. This, they emphasized, would deter individuals from falling victim to scams or seeking employment abroad.
According to Police Commissioner A. Ravi Shankar, eleven agents have been arrested in Vizag, and 21 others have been identified across India for imminent arrest. Furthermore, three SIM suppliers have been identified and will soon be apprehended. The plight of these trafficked individuals underscores the urgent need for increased job opportunities and stringent measures to combat human trafficking and financial scams.