A Hong Kong police constable, previously reported missing, has been found safe in Cambodia after being deceived into working at a scam center. The Hong Kong government has dispatched a team to assist him, amid rising regional concerns over human trafficking and fraudulent schemes targeting vulnerable individuals across Southeast Asia.
Constable’s Ordeal and Safe Recovery
A government spokesperson confirmed to local media that the Hong Kong police constable, who was lured into a scam operation in Cambodia, is now safe. The Immigration Department has coordinated with China’s office in Hong Kong and the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia to provide support and gather further details. The constable, previously stationed at Ma On Shan Police Station, had taken leave citing a family emergency—his mother’s injury in a traffic accident in Guangxi province, mainland China.
On Sunday, August 31, 2025, Hong Kong’s Commissioner of Police, Zhou Yiming (周一鳴), said: “The officer was found safe in Cambodia. We have sent officers today to collect him.” This confirmation offers reassurance to a community increasingly alarmed by the rise in scam-related incidents across Southeast Asia. The government’s swift response underscores its commitment to protecting citizens abroad. 
Growing Concerns Over Scam Centers
Transnational organised crime groups based in Southeast Asia have turned into “criminal service providers” commoditizing personal data, and refined the art of the scam, to sell a range of illegal activities, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
Scam centers have become a pervasive threat across Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, luring individuals with promises of quick financial gain before trapping them in illicit operations. Victims, including many from Hong Kong, are often detained and coerced into fraudulent activities under harsh conditions. The scale and sophistication of these operations have raised significant concerns among local and regional law enforcement, as well as international human rights organizations, according to reports from Cambodian state media and Reuters.
Benedikt Hofmann, the UNODC Deputy Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific said that victims tricked into working at these scam centers were often unable to leave and subject to violent crime and intimidation “even if they wanted to leave, they could not”. He said that in scam centers across south east asia “Some have been tortured and been subjected to unimaginable violence on a daily basis as punishment for wanting to leave or for failing to reach their daily quota in terms of money scammed from victims.” Hofmann said that Southeast Asia is the ground zero for the global scamming industry and that transnational organised criminal groups that are based in the region are masterminding scam operations and profiting from them.
In Hong Kong, officials have been grappling with an uptick in such cases. Reportedly, from 2024 to late August 2025, law enforcement recorded 29 reports of local residents suspected of being detained in scam centers across the region. Of these, 26 individuals have safely returned, while two declined further assistance, leaving one case under active follow-up in Myanmar. These figures, though unverified in specific government reports, reflect the broader challenge of combating trafficking and deception in the region, where scam operations exploit vulnerabilities with ruthless efficiency.
Government and Community Response
To address the plight of affected individuals, the Hong Kong government has established a task force to assist residents trapped in scam centers across Southeast Asia, officials stated. This initiative highlights the urgency of the situation, as deceptive schemes promising work or financial security continue to ensnare victims. The Security Bureau, Hong Kong’s agency overseeing public safety, has emphasized the need for swift and coordinated action to protect citizens abroad.
The constable’s ordeal has underscored the personal toll of these scams for families and communities in Hong Kong. Authorities have urged anyone with family or friends abroad who might be in distress to contact the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department. This call to action reflects broader efforts to ensure no one affected is left without support during such crises.
Implications and Forward-Looking Efforts
The experiences of individuals like the Hong Kong constable serve as a stark reminder of the broader regional challenge posed by scam centers. Authorities in Hong Kong are collaborating with international counterparts, including the Chinese Embassy and regional law enforcement, to dismantle these operations and prevent further victimization. These proactive steps signal a determined push to safeguard those most at risk, according to local reports.
However, the sophisticated nature of these scams and the often remote locations of the centers complicate rescue and rehabilitation efforts. For now, the focus remains on vigilance and international cooperation, with the hope that more stories of recovery, like that of the constable, will emerge. As regional partnerships and reforms progress, their impact on curbing these insidious practices remains a critical question for all involved.
