More than 200,000 workers have been freed from heavily guarded compounds in Cambodia. Many of these workers were trafficked, held against their will, and compelled to work with minimal compensation. The Cambodian government’s recent efforts to crack down on these activities have allowed reporters to investigate an industry that has swindled Americans out of over 20 billion dollars by 2025.
This situation raises some critical questions. How did these workers find themselves in Cambodia? What promises lured them to these jobs?
In a two-part series for The Sunday Story, investigative reporter Shibani Mahtani explores the hidden facets of the global scam industry. She shares the journey of a Ugandan man who traveled far from his homeland for a job that seemed overly promising.
The episode also provides insights into the operations and consequences of these scams. It was crafted by producer Justine Yan and underwent editing by Jenny Schmidt. Audio engineering support was provided by Jimmy Keeley.
Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences by emailing [email protected].