Filipino trafficking victims in Cambodia sold between syndicates

Filipino victims of human trafficking in Cambodia have been reportedly sold or transferred between criminal syndicates, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado stated that the victims were treated like property, bought, sold, and abused, with their experiences highlighting the disregard for human dignity by these syndicates.

These revelations emerged from Filipino trafficking victims who were repatriated to the Philippines on April 19.

Initially recruited through Facebook job ads offering high-paying positions, the victims had their passports confiscated upon arrival in Cambodia and were forced into online fraud operations.

These operations involved victims posing as law enforcement or romantic partners to scam foreign nationals.

Victims who failed to meet their fraudulent targets faced punishment, excessive work hours, and were eventually sold or transferred to different syndicates.

One victim described enduring workdays of 16 to 20 hours, along with threats of detention and physical abuse.