Scam compounds in Southeast Asia blur the lines between victimhood and criminality. Workers, often trafficked, face brutality while running online scams, and circumstances can shift individuals from victims to perpetrators due to coercion and survival needs. Key cases of individuals like Li, Bao, and Alice highlight the complexities of their experiences—ranging from forced labor to perpetuating scams to repay debts. The moral ambiguity complicates responses from authorities and NGOs, often leading to skepticism towards their stories. This intricate dynamic calls for a rethinking of justice and victim recognition within the scam economy, recognizing that the distinctions between victims and perpetrators are often fluid and intertwined.
https://aeon.co/essays/inside-the-criminal-world-of-southeast-asias-scam-compounds