A group of Kenyan nationals stranded in Cambodia has appealed to the Government of Kenya for urgent assistance to facilitate their return home, claiming they were lured abroad through fraudulent job offers that turned into human trafficking operations.
According to reports from the victims and their families, the Kenyans were recruited with promises of lucrative employment opportunities in Southeast Asia, particularly in customer service and online marketing roles. Upon arrival in Cambodia, however, they allege their travel documents were confiscated and they were forced to work in scam operations under restrictive and coercive conditions.
The affected individuals claim they have been subjected to long working hours, restricted movement, intimidation, and threats. Some report being compelled to participate in online fraud schemes targeting foreign nationals. Efforts to resign or leave their workplaces allegedly resulted in fines, confinement, or additional pressure from supervisors.
Such schemes have become increasingly common in parts of Southeast Asia, where criminal networks reportedly lure young Africans and Asians with promises of well paying jobs, only to subject them to exploitative digital scam operations.
The stranded Kenyans are calling on the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and the Kenyan embassy responsible for the region to intervene, verify their situation, and coordinate safe repatriation.
Families of the victims in Kenya have also urged authorities to intensify investigations into recruitment agents operating locally who may be linked to the trafficking network. They argue that without stronger oversight and prosecution, more young Kenyans could fall victim to similar schemes.
Security analysts note that Cambodia has in recent years become a hotspot for transnational cyber fraud operations. Victims are often trafficked from Africa and other regions under false pretenses, then forced to work in heavily guarded compounds running cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, and investment fraud schemes.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for stronger cross border cooperation to dismantle these networks and provide structured rehabilitation for survivors.
Kenyan authorities have previously repatriated citizens from trafficking situations in Asia and the Middle East, but rescue efforts typically require diplomatic coordination with host governments and law enforcement agencies.
As pressure mounts, affected families hope the Kenyan government will act swiftly to secure the release and safe return of the stranded nationals.
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