Filipinos Rescued from Scam Operation in Cambodia

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have rescued three Filipinos who were reportedly duped into working as scammers in Cambodia and mistreated when attempting to flee. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced the rescue in a statement on Monday, describing how the victims sought assistance via a video message and images of their injuries.

The NBI responded quickly, dispatching agents to Cambodia on March 14. The Filipinos were released and went home on Sunday thanks to Cambodian officials' help. Upon arriving, they were given medical attention and counseling to help them recover from their tragedy.

The victims said that they registered online in January for customer service positions in Cambodia, enticed by a $1,000 monthly wage. A Filipino HR representative from a Cambodian gaming firm contacted them, offering to pay for all travel expenses. The NBI did, however, notice that the trio departed the Philippines on January 7 “without going through the proper procedures.”

Their voyage entailed several transfers, beginning with a flight to Dipolog City, then a ferry to Tawi-Tawi, and finally two boat rides to Sabah, Malaysia. They were moved about until they landed in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on January 17.

Instead of working in customer service, the victims were forced to defraud “elderly” foreigners with cryptocurrencies. They were given mobile phones and told to use social media platforms such as Signal, Twitter, and Instagram to contact possible victims. The victims claimed being confined to a property with many buildings and being barred from leaving by their Chinese bosses.

This disturbing example emphasizes the hazards of illicit recruiting and human trafficking. The NBI's participation emphasizes the significance of staying vigilant and obtaining suitable papers when looking for work abroad. Authorities are still investigating the occurrence in order to avoid similar incidents from occurring in the future.