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Human trafficking

Human trafficking
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Human trafficking. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The detained individuals are of six nationalities and are accused of running online scam operations or residing in Cambodia illegally, local media report says. Photo: Sohu
Chen Zhi

Cambodia raids sites linked to Chen Zhi, Chinese tycoon accused of scam empire

82 Chinese nationals among 104 people detained in Phnom Penh raids as governments around the world crack down on Chen’s scam business.

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Thailand

Video | Thailand ends 60-day visa-free stay for tourists

Crime

Around 10 ‘new’ victims emerge in France’s expanding Epstein probe

Americas and the Caribbean

Arrest warrant reissued for Bolivia ex-president after court no-show

Evo Morales is declared in contempt as prosecutors allege he fathered a child with a 15-year-old girl during his time in office.

Former president Evo Morales, who governed from 2006 to 2019. Photo: AP
Sexual harassment and assault

Purported Epstein suicide note unsealed by US judge

A cellmate of Epstein reportedly found the note following the sex offender’s first alleged suicide attempt in July 2019.

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France

2 dead after boat runs aground in France in failed crossing to UK

The vessel carried 82 people but ran aground with 65 on board after a French gendarmerie vessel rescued 17.

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The Philippines

Can Philippines’ new anti-Pogo playbook rein in fast-moving scam hubs?

The new inter-agency rules aim to give investigators a framework tailored to Pogo-linked crime and support a coordinated response.

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A closed Philippine online gaming operator (Pogo) hub inside the former Island Cove resort in Kawit, Cavite province in December 2024. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Man convicted of trafficking Singaporean Tinder date for Dubai sex work

Achraf Arjaouy targeted the victim by pretending to be a wealthy pilot from Qatar who wished to marry her.

China-Latin America relations

BYD made Brazil’s slave labour list. The man behind the decision lost his job

Union said sacking is part of pattern of political meddling in slavery cases.

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United States

‘Never been friends’: Melania Trump criticises Epstein ‘lies’ in address

In a rare White House speech, the first lady denied being Epstein’s friend and called on Congress to hold public hearings for his victims.

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US first lady Melania Trump delivers remarks about Jeffrey Epstein at the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: AFP
United States

Bondi won’t appear before US lawmakers over Epstein files: Justice Department

The subpoena is no longer valid after Trump fired her as US attorney general, according to an official.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington in October 2025. Photo: TNS
Cambodia

Why Cambodia’s new law may do little to combat its scam centres

Analysts warn the lack of provisions addressing the role officials and networks play in enabling scams may limit the law’s effectiveness.

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Cambodia

Opinion | To beat Cambodia’s scam gangs, US must work with China – not blame it

Taking down the deeply rooted, well-connected syndicates would require both Washington’s economic leverage and Beijing’s operational efforts.

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China-Latin America relations

Brazil blacklists China EV giant BYD for its slave labour conditions

Government officials said staff were working excessively long hours while being kept in degrading circumstances in their accommodation.

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BYD’s electric vehicle factory’s construction site in Camaçari, Brazil, in December 2024. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Letters | Iran war can increase vulnerability to human trafficking in Southeast Asia

Readers discuss the impact of the war on already struggling people, and coping with the effects of “blandemic” buildings.

A jeepney, or local minibus, driver counts cash to pay at a fuel station in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, on March 25. Fuel shortages and increases in the cost of living can push vulnerable communities towards human traffickers. Photo: EPA
Scams and swindles

Cambodia’s high-stakes war on online scam compounds

Cambodia has vowed to stamp out the scam compounds on its soil by month’s end – but perpetrators remain drawn to the potential for huge profits.

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Trending in China

China woman uses old photo to find brother lured away with bread 33 years ago

Tears flow as 3-decade search finally locates long-lost sibling who was starved, beaten and abused by human traffickers before being adopted.

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Hong Kong police

‘Like a horror movie’: Hongkonger rescued after Myanmar forced labour ordeal

Security Bureau liaised with Chinese embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, economic and trade office in Bangkok and Thai authorities to rescue man.

The man is reunited with his family. Photo: Security Bureau
United States

Bank of America to pay US$72.5 million to settle Epstein victim lawsuit

The suit claims the bank’s executives ‘ignored red flags’ about Epstein’s sex-trafficking venture to provide him with financial services.

France

France raids bank in probe of diplomat over Epstein links

Investigations follow revelations published in the Epstein files by the US Justice Department.

China society

China’s infamous ‘Aunt Mei’ arrested after decade-long hunt for child trafficker

Police identify the woman, surnamed Xie, as the intermediary who brokered the sale of nine children in Guangdong province.

Police sketches of alleged child trafficker Aunt Mei have regularly appeared on Chinese social media since 2017, with state media calling on the public to “remember this face”. Photo: Weibo
European Union

Hundreds die crossing Mediterranean as 2026 already smashes records

At least 655 migrants died or went missing in January and February taking one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

Migrants from Syria and Libya call for help as they are assisted by Spanish NGO Open Arms south of the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2022. Photo: AP
Crime

US House panel subpoenas Pam Bondi in Epstein probe

US attorney general faces accusations that the Justice Department has concealed the names of Epstein associates in its release of documents.

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Sexual harassment and assault

Video | Tate brothers party in Hong Kong, sparking controversy

Andrew and Tristan Tate, brothers who are facing rape and human trafficking charges in Romania and the UK, visited Lan Kwai Fong and a restaurant in Causeway Bay.

Asean

Southeast Asia’s scam compound survivors suffer in stigma and silence

Many survivors return home to inhabit a murky space between victim and offender, with few support services to help them reintegrate.

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Detained scam centre workers are seen after a raid on a compound in Myanmar’s eastern Myawaddy township last year. Photo: AFP
Britain

UK’s ex-prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson pictured in bathrobes with Epstein

This is thought to be the first photo unearthed of the two men with the late US sex trafficker.

An undated image shows Jeffrey Epstein (centre) sitting with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson. Photo: US Department of Justice via AP
Scams and swindles

Video | Cambodia police raid AI-driven scam centre targeting Europe

Cambodia arrested 65 suspects in a Phnom Penh raid on an alleged AI-powered scam centre that targeted European victims with live video calls.

Scams and swindles

150,000 Meta accounts shut down in Southeast Asian scam centre crackdown

Meta has also launched protective tools such as Facebook and WhatsApp alerts for suspicious friend requests and activities.

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