Thai woman escapes Cambodian scam, seeks police help
A 22 year old woman narrowly escaped from a call centre scam in Cambodia, seeking police help after being coerced into returning to Thailand to open mule accounts. Worarat, also known as Bam, shared her harrowing experience, revealing over 1,000 people are similarly trapped.
In a desperate plea, Worarat video-called a friend from Cambodia, requesting US$700 (approximately 30,000 baht) to buy her way back home. Lured to work as a call centre agent, she was forced to work tirelessly from morning until 11pm daily. Failure to comply meant facing electric baton threats, job reassignment, or even being sold.
On January 29, Somwang, a 71 year old resident of Mueang district in Buriram, reported concerns to Chalerm Phrakiat police in Buriram. On January 27, at around 4pm, she received news that Worarat had been persuaded by Kesara, also known as Auy, a 29 year old from the same subdistrict, to work in Poipet, Cambodia. Fearing for her granddaughter’s safety, Somwang alerted the police as Worarat had become unreachable.
The case prompted action from Police Major General Narongsak Promtha, the police chief of Buriram province, and Police Colonel Chusit Lorsaeng, deputy police chief of Buriram province. They instructed Police Colonel Wisit Buasangawong and the investigative team to gather more evidence. Information revealed a location in Phnom Penh.
On February 23, Chalerm Phrakiat police received a report from Khlong Luek police in Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo province. Worarat, along with a man from Surin province, had sought help at Khlong Luek Police Station. They expressed a desire to return home and have since been under police protection.
Deputy police chief Colonel Chusit Lorsaeng further investigated the incident. Worarat recounted how Kesara, lured her with a job offer at a Poipet casino, promising a 28,000 baht (US$840) monthly salary. She travelled alone, picked up from her home in Chalerm Phrakiat by taxi, and then crossed into Cambodia.
Cambodian scam
Upon arrival, she discovered a vast 20-rai area with numerous buildings, not a casino as promised. Instead, it was a Chinese-run call centre gang employing over 1,000 people from various countries. Initially assigned to act as a fis faen, attracting or luring men, she struggled with the role, which did not suit her.
Failing in that capacity, she was reassigned to a call centre position, tasked with deceiving Thai citizens. Unable to do so, she was pressured into becoming an SR, recruiting others with a commission of 8,000 baht (US$240) per head. Refusing to deceive people, she faced threats of being sold unless she opened mule accounts.
Worarat and a male accomplice were sent back to Thailand to open these accounts. Upon arrival, they were instructed to wait at a convenience store for pickup.
However, seizing their chance, they asked a nearby local for police station directions. Once guided, the pair sprinted to the station for assistance, reported KhaoSod.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Worarat vowed never to work in such conditions again, where electric batons and threats were commonplace, alongside gruelling work hours from 8am to 11pm daily.
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