Cambodia Scamming Compound Survivors Report Murder, Rape, and Torture Amid Humanitarian Crisis

Thousands of people who recently escaped or were released from scamming compounds in Cambodia where thay were subjected to grave abuses including rape and torture are now stranded and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, Amnesty International said after gathering harrowing testimony from survivors.

Interviews with recently enslaved people – almost all foreign nationals – revealed a chaotic and risky situation for those who have been left without passports,money,medical care or any pathway to safety after leaving compounds run by criminal gangs. Amnesty spoke to 35 survivors, all of whom were released or had escaped within the past six weeks, including at least 11 released within the past week.

Survivors reported horrendous abuse. Several people told Amnesty of sexual assault by compound bosses, including at least two women who became pregnant as a result of attacks, while other gruesome punishments described included a man who had his finger chopped off and another who had his throat cut.

“This mass exodus from scamming compounds has created a humanitarian crisis on the streets that is being ignored by the Cambodian government.Amid scenes of chaos and suffering, thousands of traumatized survivors are being left to fend for themselves with no state support,” said Montse Ferrer, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director.

“This is an international crisis on cambodian soil. Our researchers have met people from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. They are in urgent need of consular assistance in order to help get them home and out of harm’s way.”

‘Many people died’

Amnesty international estimates that thousands of people have been released or escaped from at least 17 scamming compounds across Cambodia in recent weeks. The testimony gathered appears to confirm mass escapes and releases from compounds observed in more than 25 videos geolocated by Amnesty International earlier this month. Many of those leaving compounds are stranded in the capital Phnom Penh and desperate for help. Amnesty spoke to survivors from countries including Brazil, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Uganda, Kenya, Bangladesh, India, Philippines and Madagascar.

Those interviewed reported no police or military presence during or after their escape or release.