Inside Cambodia’s Scam Industry

In Cambodia, authorities have liberated over 200,000 workers from fortified compounds where many were trafficked and held against their will. These workers were often forced into the global scam industry for little or no pay. Due to a government crackdown, reporters now have insight into this massive operation, which defrauded Americans of at least $20 billion in 2025.

Investigative reporter Shibani Mahtani explores how these workers ended up in Cambodia and what promises lured them there. In a two-part series for The Sunday Story, Mahtani uncovers the hidden world of international scams. She tracks the journey of a Ugandan man who left home for a tempting job that proved deceptive.

This episode was produced by Justine Yan and edited by Jenny Schmidt, with audio by Jimmy Keeley.

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