Cambodia has made a rare strike against a multi-billion dollar global scam industry with the arrest and extradition of a powerful tycoon accused of running a vast online network. U.S. and U.K. authorities allege Chen Zhi led a transnational criminal enterprise that exploited trafficked workers and defrauded victims worldwide, an industry responsible for stealing tens of billions of dollars.
For victims, the scams typically begin subtly: a text offering a part-time job, enquiring about weekend availability, or simply a 'hello'. Yet, on the other end, a labourer is often forced into 12- to 16-hour days, relentlessly sending messages until a response is received. The human toll is immense, with hundreds of thousands believed trapped in forced labour within sprawling Southeast Asian compounds, compelled to run scams solely designed to extract money.
