Thousands of people who recently escaped or were released from scamming compounds in Cambodia are now stranded and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, according to Amnesty International. Survivors, most of whom are foreign nationals, reported facing horrific abuse including rape, torture, and murder while held in compounds controlled by criminal gangs. Many are now left without passports, money, medical care, or any pathway to safety, creating a chaotic and dangerous situation.
Amnesty International interviewed 35 survivors who had escaped or been released in the past six weeks, including at least 11 in the preceding week. Survivors described sexual assault by compound managers, with at least two women becoming pregnant as a result, as well as extreme punishments, including amputations and killings. Amnesty highlighted that the Cambodian government has failed to provide support, leaving traumatized survivors to fend for themselves on the streets.
Reports indicate that thousands of people have left at least 17 compounds in recent weeks, corroborated by videos showing mass escapes. Survivors hail from countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, with many now stranded in Phnom Penh. There was little to no police or military presence during or after the escapes, and some survivors were met with beatings when attempting to leave. Others left freely after compound managers abandoned the sites.
Pregnant women and other survivors recounted ongoing sexual assault, while many witnessed deaths due to lack of medical care, torture, and other cruel treatment. One survivor described a man being killed after being caught trying to escape, and others noted police visits to compounds that failed to intervene against managers. These accounts underscore the extreme human rights violations occurring within the compounds.
Anti-trafficking groups and Amnesty International report that the Cambodian government is failing to identify and protect victims of human trafficking, leaving them vulnerable to further exploitation. Survivors are desperate to return home but often lack passports, money, or the means to travel. Amnesty emphasized that NGO support is insufficient and urged the home countries of survivors to intervene and provide assistance.
The scamming compound industry in Cambodia has been linked to widespread slavery, human trafficking, forced labor, and other abuses. Previous Amnesty investigations found that over 50 compounds operated as prison-like facilities under organized criminal control, with the Cambodian authorities failing to prevent or address the violations, sometimes appearing complicit. Despite a government crackdown in 2025 that reportedly freed over 3,000 victims, the situation remains dire, with thousands more stranded and at risk of exploitation.
