Caught in Cambodia’s Scam Machine: Insights from Part 1

The global scam industry employs a large number of workers who often face harsh conditions. In Cambodia, authorities have recently released over 200,000 workers from heavily guarded compounds. Many of these individuals were trafficked, held against their will, and forced to work for minimal wages.

This situation has drawn significant attention due to the Cambodian government’s recent enforcement actions. These developments have allowed reporters to examine an industry that has caused Americans to lose at least $20 billion in 2025.

Investigative reporter Shibani Mahtani explores this concealed sector in a two-part series for The Sunday Story. The series uncovers how these workers arrived in Cambodia and the false promises that lured them.

The narrative centers around a Ugandan man, showcasing his journey to Cambodia for a job that seemed promising but was ultimately deceptive.

This episode of The Sunday Story was produced by Justine Yan, edited by Jenny Schmidt, with audio engineering by Jimmy Keeley. Feedback or questions can be sent to [email protected].