Cambodia’s dozen casinos tied to online scams and human rights abuses

(AsiaGameHub) –   Amnesty International has reported that a dozen casinos in Cambodia are currently licensed to run online scam operations, with serious ongoing human rights implications.

Despite the Cambodian government’s claims of a cybercrime crackdown, the report states that “at least a dozen casinos” have been “directly linked to scamming and abuse” involving individuals who are “tortured, forced into labour, used for child labour, or trafficked for sex.”

The report specifically names three casinos allegedly operated by Kok An, who is reported to have strong ties to former government officials. In business records, he is listed as having worked for the Anco Group, an umbrella corporation for many Cambodian businesses.

Using data from the commercial gambling regulator, the Commercial Gambling Management Commission, the report shows that all casino operators run their facilities through on-site offices and that twelve casinos have supplied evidence of documented abuse.

Authorities in Cambodia have reported arresting nearly a thousand people as part of an anti-cyber-crime initiative initially focused on “pig-butchering” scams. Additionally, close to 190 casino-linked scam operations have been closed, and gaming licenses have been revoked from some major firms, including Prince Group Holdings.

Cambodian regulators state these measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to “enforce stronger regulation of commercial gaming and to guarantee legal operations.”

Montse Ferrer, Co-Regional Director at Amnesty International, stated the research “clearly links Cambodia’s licensed casinos to its scamming compounds.” Ferrer added that while officials claim to be dismantling the industry, “the evidence indicates it is concurrently approving plans for casino properties where abusive scam compounds operate.”