Overview: A Singapore-based job scam in the making
Authorities in Singapore are examining Changting Network Technology, a local firm that advertised roles for Singapore-based work but allegedly redirected interviewees to a Cambodian resort for full-time positions. The investigation follows reports that the Koh Kong Resort, the alleged training and work site, is connected to a Cambodian businessman sanctioned by the United States for human rights abuses linked to forced labor in online scam operations.
What links Koh Kong Resort to a broader scam network?
Koh Kong Resort, located in Cambodia’s Koh Kong Province, has been flagged by the U.S. Treasury Department for ties to Ly Yong Phat, a prominent Cambodian businessman placed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list since September 2024. The designation freezes assets and restricts transactions with U.S. entities, and, in practice, signals significant concern about the business practices surrounding the resort.
UNODC reports cited in Reuters’ coverage describe Koh Kong Resort as part of a wider cluster of online scam centres operating under legitimate-feeling business umbrellas. The coast of Koh Kong has seen the emergence of new cybercrime hubs, alongside existing schemes, intensifying scrutiny for nearshore operations connected to trafficking and forced labor concerns.
How the alleged ruse worked
According to Straits Times investigations, Changting Network Technology posted job openings on local and international portals for roles such as digital advertising manager and senior customer service executives. In several cases, applicants were given Singapore-based work outlines during early interviews. The twist emerged when candidates were told that their actual base would be in Cambodia, with three-month training slated at Koh Kong Resort.
During follow-up discussions, discrepancies appeared: salaries were adjusted, training requirements shifted, and recruiters pressed applicants for passport details and signature on offer letters that would enable travel arrangements. In at least one instance, a fake resume was used by a ST correspondent to gauge response; within hours, a purported hiring manager offered a role with a monthly salary aligned to Western market rates before retracting or restructuring terms to anchor travel to Cambodia.
What authorities and the public should know
The Straits Times notes that Changting Network Technology is registered in Singapore with a local director and a Singaporean secretary, but several inconsistencies raise red flags. The company’s posted address information diverges between its website and public business records. A local inspection found no ongoing presence, with the unit lights off and staff unexpectedly scarce on a tour of the Paya Lebar Square office building. Phone lines and email contacts also rang with dead ends or unreliable routing, complicating any direct verification of legitimate operations.
Singapore police confirmed that reports have been filed and that an active inquiry is underway. They emphasized caution for jobseekers: if an offer appears “unrealistic” or requests unusual prerequisites, applicants should verify details before sharing sensitive information. The ScamShield Helpline (1799) is available for guidance if job offers seem suspicious.
What jobseekers can do next
To protect themselves, candidates should:
- Cross-check the company’s corporate registry details and physical address with official sources (ACRA, the company’s own website).
- Request a formal contract in writing, and verify visa or work-permit requirements for international postings.
- Be wary of offers that hinge on training abroad before any formal onboarding or visa processes.
- Seek independent reviews or news coverage of the employer and any linked facilities like Koh Kong Resort.
As investigations continue, authorities urge the public to report dubious job postings and to lean on official helplines for verification and guidance.
