Investigating the Scamming Underworld: How Money is Laundered

Journalists uncover the hidden practices of scammers in Asia, revealing how they legitimize their illicit earnings

We live in an era where scams proliferate and personal data security feels increasingly tenuous. Spam texts and phishing attempts have become a routine nuisance, as victims across society—friends, relatives, and colleagues alike—have experienced financial loss due to fraudulent schemes. The staggering profits earned by these scammers led us to a pivotal question: how do they transform their dirty money into clean assets? Our investigation took us from Hong Kong to Cambodia, immersing us in the chaotic landscape of scams, particularly prominent in Sihanoukville. There, amidst the barbed wire and unfinished constructions, we encountered those behind the schemes, slowly gaining their trust to unveil their operations. Over meals in local eateries, they divulged their secrets, detailing the various channels through which they manipulate social media for their benefit. The journey revealed a complex network where scams flourish, but it also highlighted the urgent need for public awareness and protective measures against these widespread criminal activities.