Scam Factories: the inside story of Southeast Asia’s brutal fraud compounds

“Scam Factories” is a multimedia and podcast series by The Conversation that delves into the operations of scam compounds in Southeast Asia.

In the first part, titled “We could hear the screams until midnight,” the series sheds light on life inside these brutal fraud compounds where victims are not only swindled out of billions of dollars but are also often trapped and subjected to violence.

The second part explores how the billion-dollar criminal industry of online scam operations is thriving in Southeast Asia due to factors like lax regulations, organized crime networks, and corruption.

The third part delves into the complexities of whether scammers are victims, perpetrators, or both, and the risks involved in escaping a scam compound.

You can listen to the “Scam Factories” series on The Conversation Weekly podcast. The authors of the series are Ivan Franceschini, Ling Li, and Mark Bo, with production credits to Gemma Ware, Katie Flood, Mend Mariwany, and others.

For more insights, visit The Conversation’s website.