Overview: A Singapore-based recruitment firm under scrutiny
A Singapore-based technology firm, Changting Network Technology, is under police investigation after reports that job advertisements in Singapore were used to recruit candidates for positions supposedly based here, only for interviewees to be told they would be working at a Cambodian resort tied to alleged scam operations. The resort, Koh Kong Resort, has drawn international attention for its links to sanctioned individuals and organisations involved in online scams and forced labour.
What makes Koh Kong Resort controversial
Koh Kong Resort is connected to Ly Yong Phat, a Cambodian businessman placed on the U.S. Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals list for alleged serious human rights abuses linked to trafficked workers in online scam centres. The resort’s parent company, LYP Group, has been cited by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in reports describing scam networks operating along Cambodia’s coast. U.S. sanctions bar Phat and related entities from US transactions and assets under US jurisdiction, highlighting the allegations surrounding the resort’s operations.
Alleged recruitment tactics and red flags
According to investigations by The Straits Times, Changting Network Technology advertised for roles on local and overseas platforms with a promise of Singapore-based employment. In reality, candidates were told they would train or work in Koh Kong Resort in Cambodia. Red flags included inconsistent salary figures, unclear visa requirements, and sudden pivots in job location during interviews. One interviewee, referred to as “B,” was offered a high salary in a Mandarin-language call, with a three-month training period in Cambodia that later shifted to permanent relocation, accompanied by a reduced salary and shared housing arrangements. Similar patterns were reported by another foreign applicant, “A.”
The evidence and official response
Police in Singapore have confirmed they are reviewing reports against Changting Network Technology. The public is advised to exercise caution with job offers that seem unusual or require early sharing of passport details, visa paperwork, or travel arrangements. Authorities encourage applicants to use trusted channels and consider calling the ScamShield Helpline (1799) if uncertain about a job offer’s legitimacy.
Company background and inconsistencies
ACRA records show Changting Network Technology is an active Singaporean company, incorporated on April 8, 2019, with a Chinese national as director and a Singaporean secretary of Chinese descent. However, users have found inconsistencies: the company’s listed address varies between Singapore Land Tower and Paya Lebar Square; a visit to the Paya Lebar Square office reportedly found no personnel present, and the phone lines and online contact points were unresponsive or inconsistent. The firm’s website, created in July 2025, and associated job listings raised questions about its operations, including conflicting information about base location and training requirements.
Why this matters for jobseekers and observers
This case sits at the intersection of legitimate recruitment practices and global scam networks that exploit credible-looking firms to lure victims. The Koh Kong connection, plus sanctions against Ly Yong Phat and the UNODC recognition of scam hubs in Koh Kong Province, underscores the risk of misrepresenting job opportunities as purely local while masking a broader, potentially criminal supply chain. Jobseekers are urged to verify employer credentials, confirm visa requirements, and seek transparency about work locations and training timelines before signing any documents or sharing sensitive information.
What readers should do next
If you encounter suspicious job offers, document communications, verify company registrations with Acra or equivalent authorities, and contact local police or the ScamShield Helpline (1799) for guidance. For enhanced due diligence, compare the advertised role against known, established employers and consult official portals, such as MyCareersFuture, to ensure legitimacy of postings and interview processes.
