Cambodian Scam Parks engaging in organ harvesting and the exploitation of infants for biological materials, evidence shows

Recent reports have detailed severe human rights abuses within Cambodian scam parks, including allegations of organ harvesting and the exploitation of infants for biological materials, though official Cambodian authorities deny these claims. The most serious allegations, primarily stemming from online whistleblowers and media investigations, suggest that victims, including women and children, are subjected to forced labor, torture, and in some cases, organ extraction or the sale of biological materials from infants for biotechnology purposes.

• Allegations of Organ and Biological Material Harvesting: A blogger alleged that women trafficked into scam compounds are forced to act as surrogates for IVF procedures, carrying two to three embryos at once, a practice described as part of a “piglet industry chain” where babies are produced for sale. Infants are reportedly kept in glass enclosures and sold to biotechnology facilities for the extraction of bone marrow and other biological materials, with one source claiming a single infant can sell for up to 3 million yuan. These facilities are allegedly linked to the Cambodia Life Sciences Institute, which is said to be located within a telecom fraud park controlled by Cambodia’s Prince Group, a conglomerate with ties to Chinese elites.
• Claims of Live Organ Harvesting: Multiple sources, including South Korean victims and human rights groups, have reported that individuals who fail to meet scam quotas or are deemed unproductive are tortured and sold for organ harvesting. Testimonies describe the removal of eyes, kidneys, and other organs, with some victims being anesthetized and their organs harvested alive during transport. A price list circulating online reportedly listed organs such as the pancreas at $350,000 and the heart at $100,000.
• Official Rejection of Allegations: The Cambodian government has consistently denied allegations of organ harvesting, stating there has been no verified case of human trafficking organizations harvesting organs for sale. Chou Bun Eng, a senior official in the National Committee for Counter Trafficking, dismissed the claims as “fabricated” and “figments of imagination,” asserting that the stories serve no purpose other than to harm Cambodia’s international reputation. Despite this, the government has acknowledged a surge in human trafficking and has repatriated thousands of foreign nationals, many of whom were lured with false job offers.
• International Response and Ongoing Concerns: As of August 2025, South Korea banned travel to key border areas like Poipet and Bavet due to the high risk of kidnapping and abuse, including organ harvesting. Amnesty International has accused the Cambodian government of complicity in the operation of scam centers, citing widespread abuse, forced labor, and torture. The situation remains a significant concern, with reports indicating that hundreds of South Koreans and other nationals have been trapped in these compounds, and some have died from torture.

The allegations, while officially denied by Cambodian authorities, are supported by testimonies from victims and human rights organizations, indicating a pattern of extreme exploitation. However, the lack of independent verification and conflicting statements from official sources mean the full extent of these practices remains unclear.