Cambodian police and soldiers helped guard abusive scam compounds, Amnesty alleges
Summary
Amnesty International alleges that Cambodian police and military personnel worked as guards at online scam compounds where trafficked people faced confinement and abuse. Its investigation linked five private security companies to the compounds, including Leap Somnang, which the report says had ties to at least 15 sites; the company’s alleged controller denied holding an ownership or management role.Key Facts
- Amnesty based its findings on interviews with 151 survivors, visits to 82 compounds and social media videos from guard accounts.
- The report alleges that guards controlled exits, pursued people who escaped and used violence to enforce compliance.
- Survivors told Amnesty that guards used electric shocks and beatings, held people in dark rooms and guarded women during rapes.
- Amnesty said it identified more than 20 military and police members with an active presence at compounds, including as guards.
- The report links Leap Somnang to at least 15 compounds across eight Cambodian provinces.
- Amnesty alleges that Ban Sophat, a colonel, controlled Leap Somnang; a letter quoted by the group says he denied ownership, director or management roles and described himself as an adviser.
- The UN says hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked into scam operations in south-east Asia.
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