'Hundreds of thousands' trafficked into SE Asia scam centres – UN

UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said that the enormity of online scam trafficking in Southeast Asia is difficult to estimate because of the clandestine nature and gaps in the official response.

Jeremy Laurence, Spokesperson, UN Human Rights Office said “Victims face a range of serious violations and abuses, including threats to their safety and security; and many have been subjected to torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, arbitrary detention, sexual violence, forced labour, and other human rights abuses.”

The report cites credible sources that indicate around 100,000people in Cambodia may be held in situations where they are forced to carry out online scams. Other States in the region, including Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Thailand, have also been identified as main countries of destination or transit where at least tens of thousands of people have been involved.