Fake Australian, Chinese and Brazilian police stations: BBC goes inside a seized scam compound
Fake Australian, Chinese and Brazilian police stations: BBC goes inside a seized scam compound
Deep within the shadows of a six-story structure nestled behind the Royal Hill casino, the air hums with the echoes of a hidden world. Each door leads to a distinct setting—some rooms mimic a Vietnamese bank, while others replicate an Australian police station. A Chinese officer’s uniform hangs in one corner, and vibrant slogans like “Money Coming From Everywhere” adorn the walls. Crumpled counterfeit currency lies scattered across the floor, a testament to the scale of the operation. This was once a sprawling hub of deceit, located in the border town of O Smach, Cambodia.
Discovered by the Thai military in December, the compound became a focal point of a brief border conflict. The Thais attributed the bombing to Cambodian drones being launched from the casino. As the attack unfolded, workers scattered, leaving behind uneaten noodles, half-drunk soda cans, and a lingering aroma of despair. Today, Royal Hill stands silent, its windows shattered and walls pockmarked by the violence, with Thai soldiers now stationed in its ruins.
Thailand’s stance and the Cambodian response
The Thai forces brought journalists to the site, emphasizing the global reach of Cambodia’s scam industry. They argued that international collaboration is crucial to dismantling the operation, but the visit also served to justify their air strikes on Cambodian targets. Despite protests from the Cambodian government, the Thais maintained that the ceasefire agreement allows their troops to remain in place as the conflict subsides.
What makes Royal Hill unique is its secrecy. Until the Thais seized control, little was known about its operations. Nearby, the O Smach Casino has been mentioned in reports about scam workers’ grievances. Owned by Ly Yong Phat, a prominent Cambodian tycoon linked to the ruling Hun clan, the casino symbolizes the nation’s economic ties to illicit ventures. Ly Yong Phat has faced sanctions for his alleged involvement in human trafficking and online fraud, yet Royal Hill’s owner, Lim Heng, remains relatively unnoticed.
Owners and their ties to the elite
Lim Heng, whose profile is less conspicuous than Ly Yong Phat’s, has also been honored with the Neak Oknha title by Hun Sen, a prestigious recognition requiring a $500,000 donation. Alongside other Cambodian tycoons, Lim Heng amassed wealth post-1991 by securing vast land parcels through connections with the ruling family. Initially, they profited from illegal logging and agriculture, later capitalizing on a property boom driven by Chinese investment in urban areas.
However, the most lucrative ventures emerged in border regions. O Smach’s casinos thrived by exploiting gambling bans in neighboring countries like Thailand and China. Over the past three decades, Cambodia issued around 200 casino licenses, many controlled by Chinese criminal networks. These groups used the casinos as bases for online gambling operations. In 2019, under pressure from China, Hun Sen outlawed online gambling, prompting syndicates to pivot toward digital fraud. Young workers from across the globe were lured with promises of steady income, often unaware of the grueling conditions awaiting them.
Failure to secure a “lead” by day’s end resulted in five cane strokes. A worker who failed to generate any leads after three days received at least ten lashes.
