A major concern is human trafficking in part of Southeast Asia. Victims are lured to Cambodia with promises of high-pay jobs. Victims would be provided with airline tickets, lodgings, and meals. Many are young people. But, they would find their jobs in Cambodia are different from what they have been promised. It may be telecom scam, labor work, or prostitution. If victims fail to meet any KPI of the above, they would be resold to another company or even for the removal of organs.

From what we have learned victims are mostly either Chinese-speaking such as from China, Taiwan or from neighboring countries like Thailand, Vietnam. Malaysia is a particular, because of their immigrant history and is closed to Cambodia.

The human trafficking in Cambodia caused Taiwanese’s attention in August when a local Youtuber claimed he has been trying to rescue Taiwanese victims from a special economic zone under China’s Belt and Road Initiatives in Cambodia while Taiwan government refused to help.

Started from 2013, China work with Cambodia government to promote local economics. It’s called Belt & Road Initiative. While Chinese funds were brought into Cambodia, the scam industry has been booming ever since because local enforcement regulations and controls are loose. China first became the victim of the telecom scam. The government therefore implemented a “telecom block” to prevent victims from wiring funds or being lured to Cambodia.

Gangsters from Taiwan also see high profits from human trafficking in Cambodia. From recent cases Taiwan’s National Police Agency found one major gangster organization has been involved in this. Until recently Cambodia government announced they would take action against human trafficking and rescuing under pressure from the international. Businesses are also in the chain of human trafficking. We see businesses such as casinos, construction, administration, and entertainments become jobs victims are lured to.

To victims there are two ways to get out of Cambodia. One is ransom, the other is finding a replacement. But, we also see some victims perform their “jobs” so well that they choose to stay for better salary and bonus and lure more victims to Cambodia.

The GOH-Migrants Department of the Garden of Hope Foundation take actions with Taiwan police agency, NGOs and local humanitarian organization to help rescue victims.

We also notice that the destination for human trafficking is now gradually shifting to Laos.