Chinese Scam Gang Victims Claim 200 Thai Citizens Being Held Captive in Cambodia

Authorities in Northeastern Thailand report that 200 Thai citizens are being held by a Chinese scam call center gang in Cambodia. Authorities learned of their forced detention after nine Thai citizens were rescued by Sawang Thieng Tham Foundation.

Thailand’s Immigration Bureau agents and Ranger Forces Company 1201 officers rescued eight men and one woman aged 23 to 47 on Monday at the border post in Aranyaprathet district, with the help of the Sawang Thieng Tham Foundation.

After getting a message about the group from Facebook users, the ranger business organized the operation.

According to authorities, the victims had apparent wounds and cuts, with one having a slash on his leg and another having the same type of deep cut on his hand.

The soldiers phoned the Sawang Thieng Tham Foundation to transport the patients to local hospitals for treatment. They were subsequently led to the headquarters of Ranger Forces Company 1201 for further questioning.

One of the victims, Phoompat Chairat, 27, said the group was duped by a Chinese-backed call center scam gang that promised them jobs with a stock trading company in Poipet, Cambodia.

He claimed they were promised a hefty salary in Cambodia and travel expenses.

The group walked into Cambodia. When they arrived, however, they discovered they would be working as call center scammers, according to Mr Phoompat.

They were housed on the seventh floor of the 25-story Puli Casino skyscraper in Poipet with at least 200 other Thais. Their phones were confiscated, and they were not permitted to leave the building, he claimed.

If they did not do their jobs properly, their employers would physically assault them. Mr Phoompat claims that some female victims were forced to work as prostitutes.

After finding that they were set to be sold to a company in Beijing, the group, together with two more coworkers for a total of 11, decided to plan an escape.

They were able to flee the premises by lighting fire to their bedroom at 3 a.m., but two were apprehended and returned by a security guard.

According to Mr Phoompat, the gang made it to the border and were rescued by a soldier there.

The Aranyaprathet district chief, Jakkraphong Phanchot, stated that his people would contact Cambodian officials and request that they investigate the crime and assist the remaining Thai victims in Puri Casino.

Local officials have also briefed Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief in charge of anti-human trafficking activities, who is currently discussing with Cambodia’s police chief, according to Mr Jakkraphong.