A massive riot broke out in Sihanoukville’s so-called “China Town” zone in Cambodia, where over a hundred foreign workers from Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan stormed company offices and dormitories, smashing equipment and furniture. Local authorities eventually deployed police and military gendarmes overnight to restore order. Early reports suggest the unrest was triggered by a mix of labor disputes and religious tensions, with Chinese-owned online gambling and scam syndicates at the center of the chaos, according to Chinese-language outlet The Cambodia China Times.
The riot began around 10 p.m. on Saturday (Oct 4) and lasted until 4 a.m. the following morning before being fully suppressed. Witnesses reported that workers employed by Chinese-run online gambling and telecom scam operations broke into offices, destroying computers, desks, and glass panels in a fit of rage.
On-Site Chaos: Chairs Flying, Screens Shattered
Viral footage circulating online showed furious workers tossing chairs, smashing computer monitors to the ground, and shouting amid scenes of total destruction. Dormitories were also wrecked, with some workers reportedly injured. Police and special forces arrived in large numbers after receiving distress calls and conducted a forceful crackdown, detaining over a hundred people for investigation.
Conflicting Theories on What Sparked the Riot
While official statements are still pending, multiple sources suggest the violence stemmed from unpaid wages and poor working conditions between scam ring leaders and low-level staff. Others claim religious friction between Indian and Pakistani workers contributed to the outbreak. Some insiders allege that tensions arose when workers secretly took side jobs for other scam networks.
From Coastal Paradise to “China Town of Scams”
Once a picturesque seaside destination, Sihanoukville has transformed into a Chinese-dominated enclave since Cambodia joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2016. Massive Chinese investments flooded the city, fueling the growth of illegal industries including online gambling, telecom fraud, and human trafficking.
International reports have long flagged the province as a hub for forced labor and cybercrime, with the UN and Amnesty International citing it as a hotspot for human rights abuses. Several countries have even issued travel warnings for the region.
In recent years, Beijing’s crackdown on domestic fraud networks pushed many Chinese scam operators overseas, where they now recruit vulnerable individuals from countries such as India, Pakistan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong under false job offers. Many victims later described being held against their will in harsh conditions — and this latest riot appears to expose the deep-rooted frustration and exploitation inside these compounds.
