Illegal Gambling Center in Cambodia Sees Up to 100 Malaysians Held Hostage

April 1, 2022 Cambodia Crime & Legal

Cambodia has asserted that it is working diligently to eliminate the seedy underbelly that permeates the country. It can demonstrate that by freeing the 100 Malaysians allegedly held hostage by a group forcing them to participate in illegal gambling operations and phone scams.

Cambodia is reportedly in the process of ridding itself of the criminal organizations that have infested the country. It occasionally makes progress but still has a long way to go. Cities like Sihanoukville have corroded the country’s landscape, becoming the epicenter of alleged kidnappings, torture, and illegal gambling.

The country could probably do a lot more, a lot quicker. A report by the Khmer Times indicates that it has identified another underground operation that follows the same modus operandi. The media outlet has known about it for almost a month.

There are as many as 100 Malaysian youths who are hostages of a criminal syndicate in Cambodia, the Khmer Times reports. The media outlet acknowledges that it “has been investigating this story since early March.” This begs the question, why hasn’t something been done already?

Reportedly, one victim was able to get word to the outside world of what was going on. He explained that the syndicate is forcing him and others to participate in illegal online gambling sites and phone scams. It’s a common theme in Cambodia that has resulted in international pressure on Cambodia.