A police operation carried out on August 23, 2026, in the city of Poipet, Cambodia, revealed the reality of Brazilians and other nationalities held in online scam complexes, where they are victims of human trafficking, constant surveillance and torture. The authorities’ action caught the attention of local residents, who witnessed the desperate escape of men and women from the buildings.
Details of the police operation in Poipet
Cambodian So Raksa, 26, was celebrating her wedding about 200 meters from one of these complexes when she noticed intense movement. She reported her surprise at the large number of police officers and the rush of people trying to escape. Raksa’s mother, Hoeung Heab, 44, who had previously delivered water to the locals, noticed signs of aggression in the victims. “Some of them had black eyes, bruised arms and legs,” Heab said, adding that the bosses were violent and beat people inside.
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The false promises that attract Brazilians to exploration
Scam complexes attract victims with the promise of well-paid work, often with salaries of around US$4,000 (approximately R$20,000) for 12-hour days and regular days off. One of the trafficked Brazilians, identified as João (fictitious name), aged 25, passed through one of these locations before being taken to another complex. He detailed that the advertisements offer one-year contracts, but the reality is one of exploitation and coercion. Other Brazilians, interviewed on condition of anonymity, reported that promises of high dollar earnings, accommodation and benefits turn into forced labor to carry out online scams.
Life under constant surveillance and the debt that prevents exit
Upon arrival in Cambodia, victims’ passports are retained under the pretext of processing work visas, but are never returned. They are forced to sign one-year contracts that put them in unpayable debt. All expenses for food, air tickets and accommodation are deducted from the salary, resulting in zero or minimal remuneration. Delays or errors in executing the scams also generate financial penalties.
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- To leave the place, the victims faced prohibitive costs, as revealed in a document from one of them. Values include:
- Local transport
- Air ticket
- Office space rental
- Food and internet
- Daily Use Items
- Protection fee
- Office Supplies and Artificial Intelligence Software License
- Recharge credit on your cell phone
The total cost for a victim to leave the complex could reach US$12,439, the equivalent of around R$64,000, making leaving practically unfeasible. The security of the complexes is reinforced by high concrete walls, barbed wire and cameras at all angles, making any attempt to escape or contact the outside world difficult.
Growth of human trafficking and Cambodia’s leadership in the records
The city of Poipet, on the border with Thailand, is recognized by authorities and international organizations as a center for human trafficking. Cambodia became the main destination for Brazilian victims in 2025, according to a report by the Brazilian Ministry of Justice published in July 2026. Of the 84 cases registered under the Standard Operational Service Protocol that year, 44 had Cambodia as their destination.
The document points to a 33% increase in registrations compared to 2024, when 63 cases were identified. In 2025, slave labor was the main purpose of the crime, with 49 occurrences, with all cases in Cambodia involving this condition. The ministry highlights that the data is underreported, since many victims do not receive assistance from public services.
The origin of coup complexes and the current combat scenario
“Scam factories” in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries have their roots in the chain of casinos that catered mainly to Chinese tourists. The ban on online gambling in August 2019 was a turning point, leading criminals to take advantage of casinos’ illegal infrastructure and connections for clandestine operations. Following international pressure from countries including the United States and China, Cambodian authorities began a campaign of repression in July 2025. Nurses and hospital attendants in Poipet reported an increase in the volume of foreign patients rescued from the compounds, many with serious injuries such as broken arms and legs.
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Cambodian authorities defend themselves and promise investigation
Cambodia’s Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said the country takes reports seriously and that no individual is above the law. “Cambodia will investigate credible evidence that any authority protected online scam operations, facilitated such operations, profited from them or participated in them,” he said in a statement. The minister reported that 751 addresses linked to complexes were investigated, resulting in the closure of 605. More than 21,600 foreigners of 38 nationalities were rescued and repatriated, and 388 cases of electronic scams are in the judicial process. Pheaktra also highlighted active cooperation with Brazil, which has generated practical coordination, including joint efforts against online scam crimes and the repatriation of Brazilian citizens.
Amnesty International, in turn, questions the effectiveness of the campaign, pointing out systemic flaws. The organization highlights that complexes continue to operate after police raids, with the criminalization of victims and suspicion of collusion between local authorities and unit managers.