Thai authorities have repatriated 32 Thai nationals who escaped from scam centres in Cambodia, with one victim warning of brutal conditions including fatal beatings and the sale of organs. The group was received after crossing back into Thailand on January 31, 2026, following coordination between Thai officials and the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh. The case has again highlighted the severe human rights abuses linked to cross-border scam operations targeting migrant workers.

Officials crossed into Cambodia’s Kong Kong province to collect the escapees at the Ban Cham Yeam border checkpoint. The operation was led by Ms Kalaya Prasitphak, district chief of Khlong Yai in Trat province, together with 182 Marines and immigration officers. The return was carried out on humanitarian grounds after diplomatic coordination.

Initial health screening found all 32 returnees to be in good condition. However, six individuals were separated from the group due to outstanding arrest warrants and were transferred for further legal proceedings. Authorities confirmed that legal processes would continue in accordance with Thai law.

One of the victims, Mr Riew from Surat Thani province, described being deceived into accepting work as an administrator in Sa Kaeo province. He said he was later sent to Bavet city in Cambodia’s Svay Rieng province before being transferred again to Poipet, where he was forced to scam fellow Thais. He identified himself as a victim of human trafficking.

Mr Riew said the detention facilities held victims of many nationalities under appalling conditions. Those who failed to meet scamming quotas were beaten and physically abused, he said, adding that some victims were beaten to death. He also warned that some detainees were forced to have their organs sold to a third country.

Medical care was not provided by the operators, Mr Riew said, and any required treatment had to be paid for at costs ranging from US$100 to US$300. He described the environment as inhumane and likened the experience to living in hell. His account echoed previous warnings from authorities about organised scam networks in the region.

He explained that during a raid on January 17, chaos allowed him and several others to escape. They fled into a forest, where they hid for hours before making their way to Phnom Penh. There, they sought assistance from the Thai embassy, which helped arrange their return.

Thainewsroom reported that Thai officials said screening and investigations would continue, particularly for those with legal issues. Authorities also reiterated warnings to the public not to be deceived by overseas job advertisements linked to scam operations. Further cooperation with neighbouring countries is expected to continue.

Picture courtesy of TNR

Key Takeaways

• Thirty-two Thai nationals were repatriated from Cambodia on January 31, 2026, after escaping scam centres.

• A victim reported severe abuse, including beatings, lack of medical care, and alleged organ sales.

• Thai authorities are continuing legal proceedings and warning the public against deceptive job offers.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thainewsroom 2026-02-02

 

 

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Thailand should take action and destroy the scam centers in Cambodia.

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It is important to keep up the pressure against Chinese organised crime, or, like Cambodia, you wake up one morning to find they run your country.

I have a problem when no real proof is given... How did they make their way all the way to Phnom Penh, from Poipet, which is on the Thai border...I'm not convinced this story is true.

What I don't understand is, who are the clients from these scams ? How can this business model support entire quarters of housing blocks, furniture, the interiors, facilities, digital networks, salaries of these operators (victims) ?

I mean we know the Nigerian fake E-Mail scams for many years, you could read the mistakes in every message.

What is so different about these scam centers ? I mean who are the imbeciles who embark on a phone call from somebody who promises golden mountains ?

There is a youtube channel called Lei's real talk. Its a good source of information about China. She did a video on the scam centres.

She said that they were funded by China, and had many functions. Money laundering, scamming, military and organ harvesting.

They are supposed to provide a large portion of the Cambodian economy.

Troll post removed @Burma Bill

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On 2/2/2026 at 12:46 AM, Fact said:

Thailand should take action and destroy the scam centers in Cambodia.

How? Thai army can’t just bomb any call centers in a neighboring country , that could kill innocent cambodias and Thais being held. They just can’t March in either. Who are the scammmers ? Maybe Chinese.

17 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

I have a problem when no real proof is given... How did they make their way all the way to Phnom Penh, from Poipet, which is on the Thai border...I'm not convinced this story is true.

💯 💥

"He also warned that some detainees were forced to have their organs sold to a third country."

Warned? If something was already done - organs were sold - then how can you warn about it?

So these so called scam call centers have surgeons and medical theaters and anesthesiologists and nurses and chemists and aftercare specialists (wouldn't want your slave workers off the phones for too long would you?) all in cahoots to do organ removal? And even if it were true, you can't just plug and play with human livers and kidneys.

Get outta here

🤡🌎

On 2/3/2026 at 11:25 AM, oustaristocrats said:

What I don't understand is, who are the clients from these scams ? How can this business model support entire quarters of housing blocks, furniture, the interiors, facilities, digital networks, salaries of these operators (victims) ?

I mean we know the Nigerian fake E-Mail scams for many years, you could read the mistakes in every message.

What is so different about these scam centers ? I mean who are the imbeciles who embark on a phone call from somebody who promises golden mountains ?

Obviously plenty of Thai's who seem to fall for the "gambling/lucky opportunity/superstitious/rare opportunity" kind of scam. I know people who have lost millions to the next great investment opportunity that never seems to materialize.