Cambodia denies human trafficking charges linked to fake gambling deals
Cambodian authorities have arrested a group of Thai citizens on charges of criminal mischief and arson. They deny the nine men's claims that they were victims of "human trafficking" linked to false promises of high-paying casino jobs.
Cambodian authorities issued a statement late last week refuting Thai media claims about the rescued people. They said the suggestion that people in Poipet were being forced into illegal activities was a lie.
Instead, according to authorities, they were willing to participate in attempted arson attacks. The fire reportedly did not cause serious damage but was caused by a quarrel between Thai nationals.
How it started
Cambodian authorities broke into a residential building in Poipet after nine Thais claimed they were set on fire as they desperately tried to escape an illegal call center syndicate.
Thai media reported that these people entered Cambodia illegally with the promise of employment opportunities in casinos. Instead, they were allegedly caught by a local criminal gang operating from a premises carrying out illegal online and phone scams.
When Cambodian authorities entered the property, they found another group of 17 people from Thailand, including seven men and 10 women. Subsequently, the police arrested all three people and transferred them to the local police station for interrogation.
Cambodian authorities have confirmed that nine Thais were involved in a violent altercation at a local building that resulted in the building being deliberately set on fire. They then attacked workers who tried to intervene, according to Cambodia's version of events.
The version also states that the nine-member group entered Thailand near the Ban Klong Luk port in Sa Kaeo province out of fear of possible legal consequences. In addition to this, he had to cross a barbed wire fence, resulting in injuries. The group claimed the injuries were caused by the treatment they received when they were caught red-handed while crossing the border.
Deny Deny
The Sa Kaeo Province People's Network, a human rights group in the region, rejected the Cambodian authorities' claims. Emergency calls from around 30 people, all victims of "human trafficking", allegedly managed to escape the building where nine Thai workers were forced to take part in an illegal phone scam.
The report adds that the human trafficking network is run by a Chinese man whom they identified only as A Wang, possibly a pseudonym. He is alleged to have masterminded numerous murders and violent crimes linked to the group, particularly targeting Thai workers in Cambodia.
People's Daily added that the nine Thais managed to escape and informed Thai authorities of what happened. This led to reports in Thai media also revealing that another 200 Thai citizens may be trapped in the same organization.
While in Cambodia, the men reported incidents of intimidation and physical violence. They said they also witnessed other Thai nationals being killed for refusing to join the scam call cell.
Cambodia has repeatedly said it is working hard to shed its image of tolerating human trafficking and fraud. If the claims of the nine Thai citizens are confirmed, Cambodia's claims would be a step backwards.
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Source: www.casino.org
