Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - New online schemes and scams discussed at trafficking function

New online schemes and scams discussed at trafficking function

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Chou Bun Eng, ministry secretary of state and permanent vice-chair of the National Committee for Counter-trafficking. SIEM REAP PROVINCIAL ADMINISTRATION

New online schemes and scams discussed at trafficking function

A senior official from the Ministry of Interior has warned the public to take precautions to avoid being deceived by fraudsters who use technology to deceive people into making illegal border crossings or falling victim to human trafficking.

At an official function observing the 15th National Day against Human Trafficking on December 15, Chou Bun Eng – ministry secretary of state and permanent vice- chair of the National Committee for Counter-trafficking (NCCT) – said opportunists have used all kinds of tricks to exploit and traffic people who have been rendered vulnerable by the economic downturn of Covid-19.

“Illegally crossing into a foreign country is unsafe and people can easily be trapped by criminals who often take advantage of their hardships … and exploit them mercilessly without exceptions – not even for minors, children or infants,” she said.

She added that currently another form of sexual exploitation of children was taking place online, which is bad enough but then some young people and even children have been lured into crossing the border and then trafficked.

Other people have been tricked into crossing the border because they are hoping to meet a romantic partner in person that they met online who turns out to just be bait set out by traffickers.

“We are concerned that children are being exploited or harassed by online predators, leaving some children in such despair that they commit suicide, and not only in Cambodia but everywhere.

“Initially, the perpetrator will approach the victim on social media and chat with them until they gain their trust, even if it takes weeks or months. Then they will exchange nude pictures with them, which are sometimes then used to blackmail the victim into meeting the offender who abuses them further,” she said.

She recommends that all parents monitor their children’s online activities closely and communicate with them about the dangers of online predators so they understand in advance to be wary of anyone they meet online.

She said the authorities continue to crack down on trafficking and all forms of exploitation or similar heinous crimes and she warned those responsible that the Cambodian government will not tolerate human trafficking.

Siem Reap provincial governor Tea Seiha, who attended the event, said that border trafficking was not just about exploitation of the labour force, sex trafficking or drugs but there is also cross-border trafficking of surrogate mothers, babies and even human organs like kidneys.

Am Sam Ath, deputy director of rights group Licadho, noted that there was currently an online scheme to exploit children involving the lending of money to them as if it were a legitimate loan. Then eventually when they are not able to pay it back, the children are intimidated and the “lender” demands pornographic pictures or videos from them.

Yu Sophea, permanent vice-president of the Siem Reap provincial committee for counter-trafficking, said the provincial authorities prosecuted 34 cases of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

“Authorities arrested 35 suspects – 33 Cambodians and two foreign men. There were 69 victims – 50 of them are female, including 27 minors under 15 years old and 11 minors over 15 years old,” she said.

Sophea said the authorities encountered 16 cases of rape, three cases of child prostitution, three cases of illegal adoption, five cases of sex with minors under the age of 15 and one case of harassment against a minor under the age of 15.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans