Three men and one woman posing as job brokers were arrested this week for luring 30 victims, including 10 underage workers, to Thailand under false pretences, police in Kampong Chhnang said yesterday.

Ek Prak Sovny, deputy police chief in the province’s Kampong Leng district, said the court detained the brokers with a warrant on suspicions of human trafficking and charged them Wednesday.

“They lured the victims to work as farmers in Battambang with wages of 20,000 riel (US$5) per day, and then they continued to Thailand to be farmers earning 40,000 riel per day,” said Sovny.

“But they did not receive any money, and they were forced to work very hard.”

Some of the workers returned to Kampong Chhnang and filed charges against the brokers, identified as Ngem Penh Femal, 62, Bun Thon, 34, Bun Theang, 27, and Lor La, 32. Sovny said that three of the brokers live in Battambang province and one lives in Kampong Chhnang.

“Ten underage girls and boys went there with their parents, and some worked as farmers too,” Sovny said.

Sam Chankea, Kampong Chhnang coordinator for rights group Adhoc, said that most brokers lure residents from local communes and districts to work in Thailand. Those who went as minors could not study because of their limited migration status.

“We welcome the authorities catching the brokers,” said Chankea. “It might discourage other workers and residents who believe the brokers.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Sen David at [email protected]