A Nghia, from Mang But commune, Kon Tum province, was received by Quang Ngai Provincial Police on 20/12/2024, following his escape from a scam network. He had been repatriated to Vietnam on 17/12/2024 via the Hoa Lu border gate, Dong Nai province.

A Nghia was received by Quang Ngai Provincial Police after his escape. Photo: Quang Ngai Police

According to Nghia's statement, on the evening of 13/11/2024, after drinking with colleagues in Ho Chi Minh City, he was walking back to his rented room. A man in a car offered him a ride. Nghia accepted and fell asleep in the vehicle. When he woke up, he found himself at an online scam center in Cambodia, unaware of how he was taken across the border. Last year, Nghia worked processing plywood for a company in Ho Chi Minh City, earning about 12 million VND monthly.

At the facility, Nghia was initially forced to work as a kitchen helper and cleaner for about two weeks. He was then assigned to make online scam calls, with a promised salary of 500 USD per month. Due to his inability to meet work demands, he was repeatedly locked in a room, beaten, and electrocuted.

After 9 days, a conflict between Cambodia and Thailand led to Nghia and many other Vietnamese being confined. Sometime later, the group was sold to a Chinese individual for approximately 2,000 USD per person, to be transported to Myanmar for work. Before their transfer, traffickers beat them on their legs to prevent escape.

About 6 hours into the bus journey, Nghia and others broke open the door, escaped, and sought help from Cambodian police. The police took the group to a detention camp in Bavet town, Svay Rieng province, Cambodia, near the Moc Bai border gate (Tay Ninh).

Van Linh