Industrial-scale scam centres in Southeast Asia have been exposed, with compounds in Cambodia designed to mimic police and bank offices from various countries. These centres, run by criminal gangs and staffed in part by trafficking victims, have targeted people worldwide through elaborate romance and impersonation scams, stealing billions of pounds. Recent military raids and crackdowns have forced many of these operations to shut down or relocate, leading to a humanitarian crisis as thousands seek to escape exploitative conditions.

Authorities in China have executed members of major scam networks, while governments in the region have pledged to eliminate cyber fraud. Documents found at abandoned compounds reveal the extent of the operations, including detailed victim profiles, scripts for scams, and strict management controls. International pressure has led to sanctions and asset freezes against key figures, with the UK and US targeting networks that have laundered money through property investments in London.

Despite these efforts, experts warn that the scam centre model is spreading globally, with hundreds of thousands of people believed to be involved. The crackdown continues, but the scale and adaptability of these criminal enterprises pose ongoing challenges for law enforcement and governments worldwide.