In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the remnants of online scam networks are visible. Luxurious high-rise buildings, once bustling with scam operations, now stand empty following recent government interventions. This crackdown disrupted a large-scale scam industry active for more than half a decade, leading to abandoned operations and deserted offices.

The government action, while effectively dismantling the fraudulent enterprises, unveiled a secondary crisis. Many foreign workers, originally brought to Cambodia under false pretenses and forced to work in these scam operations, now face uncertainty. NGOs, including Amnesty International, assert that a significant number of these individuals are victims of human trafficking. They are now exposed to potential re-trafficking, with limited support available, leaving them vulnerable and stranded.

“The government has only addressed half of this problem,” said Mark Taylor, a consultant on human trafficking, highlighting the overlooked plight of these migrant workers.

Before the crackdown, Cambodia was a major hub for global scam activities. These scams involved convincing victims to invest in fraudulent schemes. Victims initially saw profits, which encouraged them to invest more, but eventually found their funds vanished. Last year, such scams defrauded Americans of over $20 billion, according to the FBI.

The scam networks operated on coercion and misinformation. Migrants from various countries, including Indonesia, Uganda, and Sierra Leone, were promised legitimate job opportunities. Instead, they were trapped and forced to achieve strict targets through scams. Those failing to comply faced harsh penalties, including physical abuse.

Amnesty International and other organizations have documented extensive use of forced labor in this industry. Reports published described inhumane conditions within these scam compounds, where workers endured severe consequences for falling short of quotas.

International pressure led to significant actions against these scams. Last year, the U.S. sanctioned Prince Holding Group, a Cambodian conglomerate, citing their involvement in forced labor and money laundering. Chen Zhi, the group’s chairman, was extradited to China and remains under legal scrutiny.

The collapse of major players like Prince Holding Group pressured scam operations to relocate, emptying once thriving compounds. These sites had been self-sufficient communities, complete with various amenities and services.

Following the dismantling of these operations, migrants faced dire circumstances. Lacking basic necessities such as money, shelter, and food, they are met with bureaucratic challenges. Overstaying visas incurs steep fines, compounding their hardships. Although embassies are negotiating waivers for these fines, progress is slow.

Currently, only one shelter in Cambodia can accommodate trafficking victims, but it is full. Many of these individuals now navigate a tense environment, often facing detention for visa violations. In detention centers, conditions are substandard, with access to necessities severely limited.

Amnesty International’s report highlights “consistently treating people fleeing or being released from scam compounds as irregular migrants” without proper support.

While Cambodian authorities assert they have repatriated scam workers with care, reports from inside detention facilities tell a different story. Stark conditions and limited access to essentials paint a troubling picture of the current situation for stranded migrants.