“From Paradise to Peril: The Disturbing Rise of a Chinese-Run Scam Network in Mondulkiri”

Mondulkiri Province in eastern Cambodia, renowned for its lush jungles, thriving wildlife sanctuaries, and cascading waterfalls, is now at the center of a chilling reality. Investigations and firsthand accounts reveal that Diamond Mondulkiri Resort—once a legitimate holiday retreat—is being used as a brutal scam operation run by Chinese nationals, specifically targeting fellow Chinese citizens.

A Shocking Transformation

Originally a legitimate resort, Diamond Mondulkiri Resort maintained a 3.5-star rating on Google, based on 87 reviews. Its Facebook page, notably inactive since November 15, 2024, marks the suspicious timeframe of its conversion into a scam facility. Further efforts to contact the resort were futile, and online bookings were abruptly suspended, supporting suspicions about its true operations.

Feng’s Harrowing Journey

Feng, a Chinese citizen working in Cambodia since 2021, was kidnapped at gunpoint early in 2025 during Chinese New Year festivities in Sihanoukville. He was brought against his will to Diamond Mondulkiri Resort, where he was coerced into impersonating Chinese military personnel on COFCO, an online platform used to deceive women in China.

According to Feng, supervisors—reportedly mostly from Fujian—enforced the operation through terror. One of the punishments he witnessed involved forcing employees to publicly consume human excrement and urine. Other common abuses ranged from physical beatings with electric batons to sexual humiliation. One netizen on a Telegram channel shared a similar account, adding that supervisors committed disturbing acts of violence against underage individuals and resorted to beatings for those failing to meet scam targets.

All of these victims were Chinese nationals. Feng explained that these bosses had migrated from Myanmar, bringing ruthless tactics with them. They apparently believed that targeting fellow Chinese citizens would lessen scrutiny from Cambodian authorities or foreign law enforcement.

*Qiang’s Near-Death Experience

Among those tormented was Qiang, a close friend of Feng who nearly lost his life. After being caught diverting scam victims’ funds to himself, Qiang was brutally beaten and placed in solitary confinement. His captors decided to execute him by burial while he was still alive, presumably to prevent him from exposing their operations. As he was being transported, Cambodian police happened upon their vehicle during a routine roadblock, inadvertently saving Qiang’s life. After this narrow escape, Qiang was briefly reunited with Feng before both continued seeking help.

Obstacles in the Rescue Operation

Desperate to escape, Feng sought assistance through a Weibo influencer "Tie Xiao Jun", eventually reaching out to an intermediary who coordinated with Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior. However, local cooperation proved extremely difficult.

Mondulkiri’s authorities were slow to respond and rarely acted without first alerting the resort’s management, making it easier for criminals to hide or relocate captives. Consequently, a rescue that typically might take less than a week dragged on for nearly a month.

During one instance, Feng was moved to a nearby hotel and held there for two days without a cell phone. Despite these hurdles, efforts continued, and ultimately Feng was rescued—though it was, by far, the longest operation of its kind.

Insights from a Local Recruiter

A local Khmer recruiter named *Try, who hires translators for online gambling operations, offered alarming details:

• Rapid Growth of Scams in Mondulkiri: Over just three months in early 2025, there has been a stark rise in Chinese-operated scam centers across the province.

• Protected Transport: Four known vehicles shuttle forced laborers through Mondulkiri under paid “protection fees,” ensuring they won’t be stopped by local authorities.

• Shift from Poipet: Because of increasing Thai crackdowns near the Thailand-Cambodia border, many scam operators have moved operations from Poipet and Sihanoukville inland toward Mondulkiri—bordering Vietnam—to exploit more discreet transit routes.

A Growing Network Exposed

Further investigative developments revealed that, merely a four-minute drive from Diamond Mondulkiri Resort, lies Mondulkiri Hotel—identified as another center imprisoning Chinese victims.

Meanwhile, only a one-minute drive from the Kingdom of Cambodia–Vietnam border (according to Google Maps), stands “Genting Compound,” where yet another Chinese victim was reportedly sold. These discoveries illustrate a rapidly expanding, coordinated network specializing in scamming Chinese citizens.

Corroborating these alarming revelations, a raid on March 9, 2025 was reported by the Khmer Times, during which authorities deported 258 foreigners involved in similar scams targeting Chinese nationals. This raid underscores the rapid escalation of scam activities within Mondulkiri.

Survival, Reunion, and Ongoing Efforts

Although Feng and Qiang have finally escaped their captors, their ordeal is far from over. Feng remains actively involved in rescue efforts, helping friends who remain trapped. In a bittersweet development, Feng managed to help four more of his companions flee Diamond Mondulkiri Resort. Yet he remains troubled by the reality that many more remain in captivity, enduring violence and coercion.

Mondulkiri, once an idyllic haven for nature lovers, has become a hotspot for international crime syndicates preying on vulnerable Chinese citizens. Feng’s harrowing account—and his determination to save others—highlights the urgent need for both local and international cooperation to dismantle these operations, protect victims, and hold perpetrators accountable.