The Moc Bai Casino, located in Bavet city, Cambodia, has been at the center of controversy due to reports of forced labor and fraud operations. In recent months, over 60 Vietnamese nationals attempted to flee the casino on Saturday, sparking concerns about the working conditions and treatment of employees.
According to local authorities, more than 40 people had been questioned by Cambodian police, revealing that some workers were concerned after hearing rumors that the company was bankrupt and others feared being sold. One of the escapees claimed he had been tricked into working in the casino three months ago and was not allowed to leave the premises.
The Bavet-Moc Bai Casino has five directors from Myanmar, who have all been granted Cambodian citizenship. The company's listed contact email and phone number matches a Facebook account, Wei Maly, which has posted photos with senior military general Kun Kim, as well as with military police commander Sao Sokha and the prime minister's nephew Hun To.
The controversy surrounding the casino is not limited to labor issues. In July, a Chinese man was arrested for killing a resident of the casino over a debt of $3,000. Additionally, several Vietnamese families have reported being pressured by scam company bosses to pay ransoms to ensure their children are not tortured.
Regional Efforts to Combat Forced Labor and Fraud
The issue of forced labor and fraud is not limited to Cambodia. Regional authorities have been working together to combat these issues. In Taiwan, police arrested five alleged leaders of a fraud ring in Cambodia, including an "ringleader" who returned from Cambodia after learning of a murder-suicide in Phnom Penh.
In Thailand's Sa Kaeo province, police arrested a 19-year-old woman suspected of being involved in call center fraud. She had attempted to escape a warrant by crossing into Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province.
Meanwhile, Malaysia's Foreign Ministry announced that another 11 Malaysian workers had been returned from online jobs in Cambodia, with officials rescuing 123 out of 153 citizens reported to be stuck in Cambodia-based jobs.
The Moc Bai Casino has become a hub for forced labor and fraud operations in Cambodia. Regional authorities must work together to combat these issues and ensure that employees are treated fairly and with respect.