Cambodia Cracks Down on Human Trafficking and Cybercrime Ring Linked to Golden Triangle

Cambodian authorities have detained 3,000 suspects in a sweeping operation targeting a human trafficking and cybercrime network. The arrests have triggered a parallel investigation by India's Enforcement Directorate (ED), focusing on cross-border digital fraud tied to Southeast Asian scam centers.

ED documents reveal a pattern of crimes originating in Cambodia and Laos, with the Golden Triangle—a notorious hotspot for illicit activities—serving as a operational base. Victims, predominantly Indian nationals, are lured with promises of lucrative jobs in Singapore or Dubai, only to be trafficked into forced participation in investment scams and impersonation schemes.

One victim, Manish Tomar, recounted being deceived by an Instagram influencer and transported to Laos, where Chinese confiscated his passport. He described a fortified compound with armed guards, where trafficked workers were coerced into fraud under the supervision of Chinese operatives.