Scam centers relocated from Cambodia operate in Madagascar

A workstation at a compound in Cambodia that the Thai military said was used for scam operations in March. | REUTERS

By Clement VARANGES
AFP-Jiji

Oct 31, 2026

Antananarivo, Madagascar – Raids against online scam centers in Madagascar have exposed ties with a criminal group that ran similar operations in Cambodia, also duping African nationals via alleged human trafficking, authorities said.

Conducting romance, cryptocurrency and investment fraud, the sites were mostly operated by Chinese nationals, 148 of whom have been extradited to China, Madagascar’s justice ministry said.

Thirteen Chinese-run scam compounds were taken down in operations in August and September conducted with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), it said.

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