More than 100 Liberians are reportedly stranded in Southeast Asia after falling victim to what appears to be an international job scam that lured them out of the country with promises of employment.
One of the victims made the disclosure Monday while speaking to Verity News, explaining that several Liberians have been trapped and trafficked in Cambodia under extremely difficult conditions.
According to the victim, many of the Liberians who traveled to Cambodia were in search of better opportunities but are now facing possible arrests as authorities intensify immigration enforcement. The individual claimed that the Cambodian government has warned that foreigners without proper documentation could face prison terms ranging from five to ten years.
The situation, however, appears to be even more troubling based on a letter sent by some of the stranded Liberians appealing for help from the Liberian government.
In the communication addressed to the Liberian Embassy, the victims explained that they were initially recruited by a Chinese company with promises of legitimate employment in Vietnam. But upon their arrival at the airport, they alleged that their mobile phones and personal belongings were confiscated.
The victims further claimed they were blindfolded and illegally transported across the border into Cambodia, where they were reportedly held against their will for more than a year.
During that period, they said they were confined and forced to participate in illegal activities that they neither agreed to nor intended to engage in.
Their ordeal reportedly ended when Cambodian authorities conducted a raid on the facility where they were being held, leading to their rescue.
Despite the operation, the Liberians say their situation has not improved significantly. They claim they are now homeless and stranded in Cambodia without food, money, mobile phones, or shelter.
The group also disclosed that they approached the International Organization for Migration (IOM) seeking assistance but were advised to contact the Embassy of Liberia for further support.
According to them, nationals from other countries who were rescued in the same operation have already received help from their respective embassies and have since returned home.
However, the Liberians say they remain stranded and vulnerable to exploitation and human rights abuses.
In their appeal, they are urging the Liberian government to urgently intervene by providing travel documents, facilitating immigration arrangements, and assisting with their repatriation to Liberia.
The group says their situation is becoming increasingly desperate and that they urgently need government support and protection as citizens of Liberia.
Authorities in Liberia have yet to publicly respond to the appeal at the time of this report.
