These Chinese-run groups collaborate with local influencers and sometimes receive support from local Chinese provincial governments and politicians. They are involved in a range of criminal activities including arms smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering, and cybercrimes. Some of these groups operate like corporate entities, enticing individuals from countries like India, the Philippines, and Bangladesh with promises of high salaries and better job prospects.
Once recruited, individuals undergo training similar to regular business process outsourcing agents and surrender their passports. They are then taken to southern Cambodia, where they are either coerced into working for online scams or sold as “slave employees” to other criminal groups. The Indian government has issued warnings against applying for jobs offered by these groups.
In some cases, victims are duped into job opportunities in Bangkok and transported to Cambodia, where they are forced to engage in fraudulent activities. Many victims work in harsh conditions and some have even lost their lives due to pressure from these criminal organizations. According to a US State Department report, over 10,000 individuals worldwide have been forced to work as fraud agents by Chinese gangs in Cambodia.
Cambodia has received intervention requests from multiple countries including Thailand, India, and Indonesia regarding forced labor issues. The Cambodian government has taken action against Chinese cybercriminals in the past, with arrests and rescues of individuals involved in trafficking.
Despite the crackdowns, Chinese hacking groups continue to target Cambodian government institutions, posing a threat to national security. Similar cases have been reported in Myanmar, where Chinese groups have coerced individuals into fraudulent activities.
Experts criticize the Cambodian government for allowing Chinese criminal groups to operate freely in the country, possibly under the influence of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. These groups benefit from Chinese investments and assistance, leading to the growth of illicit industries in Cambodia.
Analysts express concerns that Cambodia may be facilitating cybercrime groups at the behest of China, with the Chinese Communist Party allegedly controlling such organizations across the region. These groups are known to launch cyberattacks on government departments in various countries, raising security concerns globally.
While Cambodia is identified as a hotspot for cybercrimes, the masterminds behind these activities remain elusive. The US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons report downgraded Cambodia to a tier-3 country, highlighting its challenges in combating human trafficking and cybercrimes. Without international support, Cambodia risks becoming a pawn in China’s strategic interests, according to experts on China-Southeast Asia relations.
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