Cambodian workers are falling victim to online shopping scams by fraudulent sellers on Facebook who lure them with promises of affordable things, leaving victims devastated and reluctant to report the crimes.

 Cheun Chanthorn, a Cambodian construction worker, said she initially inquired about a secondhand motorcycle offered for sale by a Cambodian Facebook user for 9,000 baht. The seller told her that if she agreed to pay 3000 baht up front, she could pay the remainder in monthly instalments of 1000 baht. She eagerly ordered the motorbike within a few days, planning to make the down payment on her next payday. 

On payday, Chanthorn asked her employer to transfer 3400 baht to the online seller, combining her 3000 baht salary with a 400 baht loan from her sister, as the seller had suggested an additional 400 baht for a new motorcycle seat. A day later, the seller blocked her Facebook account and phone number. Chanthorn was very disappointed but did not complain to the police. She also said she did not tell anyone about getting scammed because she was ashamed.

“I never told anyone about this online scam because I feel ashamed,” Chanthorn said.  

Chanthorn wanted to buy her own motorcycle because a round trip to the market by motorcycle taxi was costing her 40 baht a time. Since she has to go to the market every few days, the sum began to add up, and she worked tirelessly to earn it. She said nowadays finding work was challenging due to employee suspensions and a lack of overtime opportunities.

Others have been tricked by the same motorcycle seller. A victim using the account named "Mak Oun Reach," shared screenshots of chats when she was ordering the motorcycle and said she lost 3000 baht to the scammer. Others had similar stories, each losing at least 1000 baht. She warned everyone to be careful when buying things online to avoid getting scammed.

When it comes to staying safe while shopping online, especially for those less familiar with technology, digital security consultant Chhit Kanika raises the importance of trusting reputable apps or social media pages. She advises avoiding purchases from accounts or pages with few likes or follows, and recommends checking the comments section for valuable feedback from experienced buyers.  

Additionally, Kanika recommends using virtual cards instead of bank accounts for transactions, as they limit potential losses in case of a security breach. “Please do not use Visa or Mastercard through your primary account. Instead, opt for a virtual card. If someone hacks your bank account, they will only be able to use the limited amount that you have set, not your entire balance,” she mentioned.

Leung Sophon from the Centre for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL) has helped Cambodian workers in Thailand who have been scammed. He said he has always collaborated with other organizations, discussing ways to support workers. Even CENTRAL doesn’t have the exact number of how often they have had to help scam victims, but are also working to educate workers about scams.

“We have assisted them in filing complaints at local police stations and immigration offices in their area of residence. However, I'm uncertain about the specific department that deals with these cases too. But our goal has always been to do our best to assist the victims," Sophon said.

The Anti Cyber Crime Department of Cambodia told Prachatai that victims cannot lodge a complaint if they are scammed by someone who is not resident in Cambodia, even if both victim and scammer are Cambodian citizens.

“For those who are outside Cambodia, filing a complaint is not possible. They should reach out to the authorities in the country where they are residing, clarifying the process for reporting cybercrimes committed against Cambodian nationals abroad,” said the Department in a Facebook conversation with Prachatai. 

This Department is actively combating cybercrime and encourages reporting from the public. Complaints can now be filed online by emailing a downloaded form to [email protected]. A team has been tasked with reviewing the complaints and will reply within a week. However, complainants require a valid national ID card and a phone number. If the victims are in Cambodia, they can reach out to the department by calling 023 726 822 on any working day from Monday to Friday.

Meanwhile, the Labour Attaché at the Royal Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok said they cannot help. “We address issues such as workers not receiving proper wages, working overtime without pay, or facing unfair dismissal without compensation,” said Linh Kheu, official at Labour Attaché. 

“Please seek assistance from the consular section if you are scammed,” Linh Kheu added.

Prachatai was unable to reach the consular section for further information.

Kanika highlights the challenge in finding clear signs to identify online scams, as scammers are adept at creating convincing fake content. She urges individuals to thoroughly evaluate the credibility and safety of online shops before making any purchases, emphasizing the need to collect evidence in case of a scam. She suggests taking screenshots of orders and payments, especially when buying from platforms where messages can be deleted.

"If you make a purchase on an online platform, please take a screenshot of your order and payment. Some platforms allow messages to be deleted at any time, such as Messenger, Telegram, and so on. By doing this, you'll have evidence to provide to the Anti-Cybercrime Department," she added.

Tossapon Tassanakunlapan, a lecturer at Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Law, said that in a significant development in addressing criminal matters, the Thai State has introduced a new law aimed at streamlining the process for victims filing accusations. This innovation, known as the online one-stop service, connects the police, banks and telecom platforms into one system.

While this new initiative promises to enhance the efficiency of handling domestic cases, the challenge of dealing with transnational criminals still relies heavily on cooperation with neighbouring countries.