Foreign Workers Escape from Cambodia Casino Allegedly Linked to Human Trafficking

Nearly 60 foreign workers from Nepal and Pakistan made a dramatic escape from a casino complex in northern Cambodia, where they reportedly had to endure forced labor and physical abuse. Armed with metal rods fashioned from bed frames, the workers overpowered security guards at the O-Smach resort, located near the Thai border, and fled the premises on Sunday evening.

The Victims Faced Inhumane Conditions

Dozens of workers fed up with brutal working conditions, smashed through the gates of the resort owned by Cambodian tycoon Ly Yong Phat. Phat previously faced sanctions in the US  for alleged involvement in human trafficking and forced labor. Witnesses described a sudden chaotic outbreak, resulting in at least two security personnel injured as they tried to stop the escapees.

The O-Smach resort is one of several Cambodian gambling venues accused of serving as fronts for online scam operations powered by human trafficking networks. Such illicit organizations often lure in workers with promises of legitimate jobs before imprisoning them in gated compounds and forcing them to work long hours under threat of violence.

Following their escape, workers walked over 5 kilometers (3.2 miles) and eventually reached local authorities in Samroang, the provincial capital. Police took them in for questioning, but officers revealed the group offered limited details about their ordeal. However, early reports indicate that many faced physical beatings and torture for failing to meet these quotas.

This Breakout Is a Symptom of a Bigger Issue

Human trafficking networks in Southeast Asia claim upwards of 150,000 victims every year, with Cambodia and Myanmar being significant hotspots. Workers often find themselves forced to participate in online scams targeting global victims through messaging apps and fraudulent calls. The Cambodian government’s crackdowns against casino unions further undermine efforts to expose such black market operations.

Trafficking and forced labor allegations at O-Smach and similar resorts have renewed calls from human rights advocates for an investigation by Cambodian authorities. Dy The Hoya, migration program director at the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights in Phnom Penh, commented on the situation for BenarNews, urging for international cooperation.

We want to see transparency and integrity with the participation of Interpol because this is a transnational crime. If we don’t take this seriously, the criminals will continue to benefit while our country loses its reputation.

 Dy The Hoya, Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights director

Despite escalating circumstances, it remains a matter of speculation whether Cambodian authorities will increase their efforts to take down trafficking networks that prey on vulnerable populations. Without transparent investigations and real action, the human cost of such operations could continue to rise, undermining Cambodia’s efforts to restore its international reputation after it excited the FATF greylist.