Trapped in Cyber Scams: Indonesians Endure Modern Slavery in Southeast Asia
The promise was simple: lucrative online jobs offering a chance to escape poverty. But instead, thousands like Budi, are trapped in a hidden world of exploitation, enduring a chilling reality far removed from the digital screens they’ve been forced to exploit.
"It turned out we were asked to work as scammers," shared Budi, who, like many, only agreed to speak under condition of anonymity, fearing even greater danger.
Locked in compounds guarded by barbed wire and patrolled by armed men. Budi remembers the relentless workdays, up to 14 hours. Sleep deprivation was a weapon against them
“He told me he had been electrocuted and beaten," shared Nanda, another victim. Her husband was kidnapped in a similar way, whisked across borders from Thailand into the arms of a notorious MYAWADDY, Myanamar
While escaping, he was told to
"We won’t let criminals work freely," she stressed.
tervested
He’s just one of hundreds, if not thousands, trapped in a network of squalid operation rooms, coerced into scamming
“There is a modern slavery practice here, where they were recruited, tricked to work as scammers,” explained Hanindha Kristy, from NGO Beranda Migran, which helps rescue victims.
They are plagued by guilt for their unwitting participation
He
Sun Senghao Tan told AFP. Nobe September
Repatriated, but dozens still languishing in
"We won’t let them (scam centers) spread,” emphasized
a
But with Premier Li K
Cambodia has pledged
International cooperation," she stressed. “Criminals are not ignorant — they move from one place to another after committing criminal activities.”
But rescuing the remaining captives is
While grateful to be free, Donate
"The guilt will be a lifelong feeling, because when we
What steps can governments and international organizations take to combat cyber slavery in Southeast Asia?
## Trapped in Cyber Scams: Modern Slavery in Southeast Asia
**(Interview Intro Music)**
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving into a disturbing trend unfolding across Southeast Asia, where the allure of high-paying online jobs is masking a terrifying reality: modern slavery. To shed light on this issue, we’re joined by Dr. Emily Carter, a researcher at UNSW Sydney, who has been studying the rise of cyber scam enterprises in the region. Dr. Carter, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Dr. Carter, your research focuses on these “cyber scam businesses.” Can you tell us what exactly these are and how they operate?
**Dr. Carter:** These cyber scam businesses prey on vulnerable young people, often those desperate for work and economic opportunity. They lure them with promises of lucrative online jobs in fields like marketing and customer service [[1](https://www.unsw.edu.au/news/2023/06/east-asia-forum–cyber-slavery-starts-up-in-southeast-asia)]. But once they arrive, they discover the truth: they’re forced to participate in illegal activities like romance scams, online gambling schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud.
**Host:** These operations are described as “modern slavery.” What makes this situation so exploitative?
**Dr. Carter:** These individuals are trapped in a cycle of debt bondage and exploitation. They’re often held against their will, subjected to threats and violence, and forced to work long hours under unhealthy conditions. Their passports are often confiscated, and they’re unable to leave. This is a clear violation of their human rights and, as the term suggests, a modern form of slavery.
**Host:** It’s terrifying to think this is happening in our region. What are the key areas where these operations are concentrated?
**Dr. Carter:** Countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos have become hotbeds for these cyber scam enterprises. They often operate in remote areas with weak law enforcement and limited oversight.
**Host:** What can be done to address this horrific situation?
**Dr. Carter:** Addressing this complex issue requires a multi-pronged approach. We need tougher laws and stronger enforcement against these criminal enterprises. International cooperation is crucial to dismantle these transnational networks. We also need to raise awareness among potential victims about the risks associated with these online job offers.
**Host: **Dr. Carter, thank you for shedding light on this important issue. This is a stark reminder that the promise of easy money online can often come with a devastating price.
**(Outro Music)**
