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Longbridge Whale Rebrands as LONGPORT Whale, Marking a Strategic Brand Upgrade

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Advertorial Desk
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HONG KONG, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Longbridge Whale, a leading fintech brand, today announced a major rebrand and will now operate as LONGPORT Whale (“Whale”). This rebrand reflects an expanded strategy, enhanced service capabilities and a renewed vision, reinforcing Whale’s role as an integrated trading platform connecting major global financial markets.

Since its inception, Whale has been committed to building a technologically advanced global trading network. Built on a SaaS-based model, Whale was among the first in the Hong Kong market to offer an end-to-end securities trading solution tailored for brokerages. Powered by cloud-native technology and microservices architecture, Whale delivers more comprehensive and efficient project execution than traditional trading system providers, earning strong market recognition rapidly.

In 2024, Whale officially launched its “Securities as a Service” model, modularizing system functions and enabling clients to subscribe on demand. This innovation elevated Whale’s one-stop solution into a platform-based, service-oriented model, effectively bridging financial institutions and retail investors.

As its business continues to scale, Whale has expanded access to major global financial markets. The platform now integrates with a growing network of product issuers, custodian banks, exchanges, and leading news and market data service providers. Beyond Hong Kong and U.S. equities, Whale’s offerings now cover wealth management, virtual assets, structured products, funds, and more. Its client base has also broadened from securities firms to include banks, family offices, and other institutional clients with investment service needs.

To date, Whale has developed into a fully integrated global trading platform and a hub for multi-asset trading activities at over 100 financial institutions worldwide. Reflecting this new stage of growth, the brand has been upgraded to LONGPORT Whale.

This rebrand highlights three key priorities:

  1. Clearer Positioning — transforming from a “digital bridge” connecting brokers and investors into a fully integrated global trading platform and financial infrastructure serving a broader range of financial institutions.
  2. Stronger Capabilities — delivering stable, scalable, and global trading solutions designed for complex cross-market and multi-asset needs.
  3. Future Vision — building an open, connected, and resilient trading network and ecosystem that supports the long-term development of institutional business models.

In line with the brand upgrade, Whale has relocated its Hong Kong office and is now operating under a refreshed brand identity.


Zhong Hua, CEO of Whale, said:”‘LONGPORT’ reflects our vision of Whale as an open, stable, and efficient global trading network—a hub for multi-asset trading, global liquidity, and integrated financial services across markets. We provide financial institutions with secure technology infrastructure and seamless trading access. Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in technology, enhance our trading capabilities, and expand our ecosystem partnerships. With a deeper focus and broader horizon, we aim to deliver more powerful, flexible, and trusted solutions for banks, brokerages, family offices, and other institutional clients worldwide.”

About LONGPORT Whale
LONGPORT Whale provides institutional-grade trading solutions for brokers, banks, family offices, and other institutions with trading services. The platform delivers comprehensive access to multi-market, multi-asset trading through a single integrated system. Built on a proprietary cloud-native microservices architecture and validated by tens of millions of live transactions, LONGPORT Whale delivers millisecond-level execution with exceptional stability and reliability.

Its modular, flexible deployment model allows each institution to tailor the system to its business scale and regulatory environment, enabling partners to rapidly build efficient, compliant, and globally scalable trading services. Today, the platform serves as the core trading system for more than 100 institutions worldwide.

The founding team of LONGPORT Whale brings together experienced financial professionals from Singapore and Hong Kong SAR, alongside senior technology leaders from top global technology companies. With operations across Hong Kong SAR, Singapore,  the United States, and Thailand, the company has built a strong, globally distributed team with a significant focus on FinTech innovation.

Driven by deep industry expertise and continuous technological innovation, LONGPORT Whale has established itself as a trusted industry leader and has been recognized with multiple prestigious FinTech awards from internationally respected institutions.

Website：https://longportwhale.com

Hindustan Zinc’s 3Q PAT zooms 46% YoY, clocks highest-ever US$ 440 million backed by record revenue, EBITDA

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Advertorial Desk
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UDAIPUR, India, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — India based Hindustan Zinc Limited, a Vedanta Group company and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, announced its financial results on 19th January 2026 for the third quarter and nine months ended 31st December 2025. The company reported its best-ever third quarter mined and refined metal production of 276 kt and 270 kt, respectively. It boosted its overall production efficiency through commissioning of debottlenecking at Chanderiya smelter, ramp up of earlier commissioned debottlenecking at Dariba Smelter and 160 Ktpa roaster at Debari, along with better plant availability.

Hindustan Zinc clocks highest-ever US$ 440 million backed by record revenue, EBITDA
Hindustan Zinc clocks highest-ever US$ 440 million backed by record revenue, EBITDA

The company recorded its best-ever 3Q revenue of US$ 1,232 million, up 28% QoQ and 27% YoY. It also delivered record EBITDA of US$ 683 million, up 36% QoQ and 34% YoY, driven by 5-year lowest zinc cost of production excluding royalty of US$ 940 per tonne, maintaining industry-leading EBITDA margin of 55%. Resultantly, profit after tax stood at record US$ 440 million, rising 48% QoQ and 46% YoY.

Silver remained a crucial contributor, driving c.44% of overall profitability, with saleable silver production increasing 10% QoQ to 158 tonnes. During the nine months, the company delivered strong total shareholder returns of 35%.

Arun Misra, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

“The quarter marked a record performance, reflecting operational excellence and strong fundamentals with the company achieving its highest-ever third quarter metal production and 5-year lowest quarterly zinc cost of production of US$ 940 per tonne. With debottlenecking projects completed, 2x growth projects underway, and strategic diversification into critical metals, we remain firmly positioned at the forefront of global energy transition. I am also immensely proud that our sustainability leadership continues to set global benchmark by maintaining the No. 1 position in metals and mining in S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2025 for the 3rd consecutive year.”

USD-INR rate is 89.09
Note: Best 3Q mined metal production is since underground transition.

Disclaimer: 
This release contains forward-looking statements that may differ from actual results. We undertake no obligation to update them.

CMES Robotics Expands AI-Driven Warehouse Automation Footprint with New Logistics Projects

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Advertorial Desk
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How Innovative Companies Are Solving Palletizing and Depalletizing Challenges Across eCommerce, Logistics, Food & Beverage, and Manufacturing

SEATTLE, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CMES Robotics, a leading provider of advanced AI vision solutions, today announced it has secured additional automation projects with a premium food ingredient manufacturer in North America, marking continued momentum in the U.S. manufacturing and logistics market.

These multi-year projects began in 2025, incorporating robotic bag palletizing automation designed to perform reliably in high-variability environments where product size, packaging, and orientation change frequently. While the first deployment addresses costs associated with labor in food ingredient manufacturing, the solution reflects a broader shift toward AI-driven automation platforms built for real-world warehouse conditions. CMES Robotics AI-Vision technologies enable broader successes across multiple market segments including logistics, e-commerce, automotive, and general manufacturing operations.

“Manufacturers need cost effective automation solutions that work in real production environments and not just under ideal conditions,” said Dave Callen, Vice President of CMES Robotics. “These projects show how AI-based automation solutions deliver flexibility and increase productivity while scaling as operational demands grow.”

CMES Robotics’ core capabilities also include AI-Vision driven:

  • Mixed Case Palletizing with real-time intelligent placement
  • Random Bag and Box Depalletizing
  • Random Piece-Picking with intelligent grasp and motion planning

These capabilities form scalable automation platforms that adapt to changing operational needs without major facility modifications.

Supporting the Next Phase of Warehouse Automation

As labor challenges and operational complexity increase, CMES Robotics focuses on delivering automation that scales with customer needs, helping manufacturers and logistics operators adopt intelligent systems that support both immediate performance and long-term growth.

About CMES Robotics:

CMES Robotics develops AI-powered 3D vision technology for multiple market verticals. Its software integrates high-precision AI-Vision sensing, auto-calibration, motion control, simulation, and real-time processing. CMES’s code-free interface enables accurate object identification and manipulation. The system adapts to varying product sizes and optimizes stacking patterns across a wide range of industries. For more information, please visit our product site at www.cmesrobotics.com or call 855 328 0975

 

CUHK and Shell Unveil Hong Kong’s First Shell Recharge Electric School Bus Charging Station 　 　Fast Chargers and Hybrid Bus Now Supporting Campus Mobility

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Advertorial Desk
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 January 2026 – Shell Hong Kong Limited (Shell) and the Transport Office of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) held the “CUHK x Shell Electric School Bus Charging Station Opening Ceremony” on 15 January 2026, marking a significant milestone in advancing sustainable campus transportation. With the dedicated support from Shell, CUHK has launched its first Shell Recharge electric school bus charging station on campus, equipped with two fast chargers delivering up to 120 kW of power to provide efficient charging support for the university’s phased introduction of new energy school buses. Together with this initiative, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has provided CUHK with the first hybrid school bus on a Hong Kong university campus, making the first adoption of a hybrid school bus as a low-carbon transportation solution in local university campuses.

Shell and CUHK held the "CUHK x Shell Electric School Bus Charging Station Opening Ceremony" (From left to right: Mr. Kenneth Chung, Network Development & E-Mobility Manager of Shell Hong Kong Limited,Mr. Donald Lee, Transport Manager, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Mr. Simon Lee, Director of Security and Transport, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Mr. Dick Chan, General Manager of Shell Commercial Fuels- Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Yonghai Du, Chief Innovation Officer, Hong Kong Productivity Council and General Manager, Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems (APAS), Mr Ralph Xu, Head of Green Transportation, Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems (APAS))
Shell and CUHK held the “CUHK x Shell Electric School Bus Charging Station Opening Ceremony” (From left to right: Mr. Kenneth Chung, Network Development & E-Mobility Manager of Shell Hong Kong Limited,Mr. Donald Lee, Transport Manager, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Mr. Simon Lee, Director of Security and Transport, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Mr. Dick Chan, General Manager of Shell Commercial Fuels- Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Yonghai Du, Chief Innovation Officer, Hong Kong Productivity Council and General Manager, Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems (APAS), Mr Ralph Xu, Head of Green Transportation, Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems (APAS))

First Shell Recharge Electric School Bus Charging Station installed in CUHK

As one of the leading global energy companies, Shell continues to focus on its strategy to deliver more value with less emissions while working to become a net-zero emissions business by 2050, contributing to global decarbonisation. This year, Shell installed CUHK’s first Shell Recharge electric school bus charging station, featuring two fast chargers with a power output of 120 kW, ensuring rapid and efficient energy replenishment for CUHK’s electric school buses. At the same time, Shell consistently upholds high safety standards, with stringent controls in the design, installation, and operation of the charging station to ensure a safe and reliable electric vehicle charging experience.

Since 2018, Shell has supported CUHK’s sustainability initiatives by supplying Shell FuelSave Diesel B5 for the university’s fleet, helping reduce emissions and enhancing operational efficiency. The collaboration has expanded with the introduction of fast-charging facilities further modernises CUHK’s transportation system and accelerates the adoption of innovative low-carbon technologies. Looking ahead, Shell will continue to work with CUHK to lead the development of advanced mobility solutions and demonstrate leadership in campus sustainability.

Mr. Yew Chong Tan, General Manager of Shell Commercial Fuels East, commented, “At Shell, we are committed to working with customers and partners to provide holistic energy solutions that power progress together. The installation of this electric school bus charging station at The Chinese University of Hong Kong exemplifies our dedication to such collaboration as we navigate the energy transition.”

First Shell Recharge Electric School Bus Charging Station installed in CUHK (From left to right: Mr. Donald Lee, Transport Manager, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Mr. Simon Lee, Director of Security and Transport, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Mr Yew Chong Tan, General Manager of Shell Commercial Fuels East, Mr. Dick Chan, General Manager of Shell Commercial Fuels- Hong Kong and Macau)
First Shell Recharge Electric School Bus Charging Station installed in CUHK (From left to right: Mr. Donald Lee, Transport Manager, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Mr. Simon Lee, Director of Security and Transport, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Mr Yew Chong Tan, General Manager of Shell Commercial Fuels East, Mr. Dick Chan, General Manager of Shell Commercial Fuels- Hong Kong and Macau)


First Hybrid School Bus to Begin Operates at CUHK

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has provided CUHK with the first hybrid school bus ever deployed on a Hong Kong campus, which helps reduce diesel consumption and lower exhaust emissions compared to regular diesel coaches. When utilizing fast charging directly, it can reach an 80% battery charge in as little as 25 minutes.

Mr. Yonghai Du, Chief Innovation Officer of HKPC and General Manager, Centre of Advanced Power and Autonomous Systems (APAS), added, “This 12-meter plug-in hybrid bus is the first green transport project designed, developed, and assembled in Hong Kong by APAS, funded by the Innovation and Technology Fund and supported by our industry partners. This collaboration exemplifies the shared commitment of academia and industry to social responsibility. HKPC will continue to pioneer diverse innovative solutions, foster collaboration among ‘Government, industry, academia, research, investment, and applications’, expand the application demonstration of new technologies, products, and scenarios, and drive the transition towards green transportation.”

CUHK Advances Low-Carbon Transportation

These two major initiatives not only highlight CUHK’s dedication to sustainable development but also set a new standard for environmentally conscious transformation in transportation across Hong Kong.

Mr. Simon Lee, Director of Security and Transport at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, stated, “CUHK is committed to promoting sustainable development and embedding environmental protection principles within daily campus operations. By installing the EV charging station and introducing the hybrid campus bus, we aim to offer convenient transportation for staff and students while reducing carbon emissions and achieving low-carbon mobility. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Shell for its strong support of the charging station project and to the Hong Kong Productivity Council for its professional assistance in introducing the hybrid campus bus, enabling us to jointly drive campus transportation toward a new green milestone.”

Hashtag: #Shell #CUHK #ElectricBusChargingStation

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Laos Signs Historic Global Treaty to Protect Oceans, Marine Conservation

By
Namfon Chanthavong
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Image: World Atlas

Laos has become a signatory to the world’s first legally binding treaty for protecting oceans and marine life, known as the High Seas Treaty, which entered into force on January 17.

This landmark agreement focuses on the protection of international waters, which make up about two-thirds of the Earth’s oceans. It will provide a framework for governing biodiversity and marine life beyond national borders and aims to ensure the sustainable use of ocean ecosystems, especially critical areas affected by climate change and pollution.

The treaty requires participating nations to collaborate on ocean science, establish marine protected areas, and regulate commercial activities such as deep-sea mining, fishing, and shipping, ensuring environmental safeguards are in place.

By ratifying this agreement, Laos joins 82 other countries committed to improving global marine governance.

Major Economies Join

In addition to Laos, the High Seas Treaty’s ratification includes major economies like China, Germany, Japan, France, and Brazil. However, the United States, India, and Russia have yet to fully ratify it.

The treaty also emphasizes the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, setting a precedent for global cooperation in preserving marine biodiversity.

While this agreement is a major step for global ocean protection, advocates stress the importance of continued participation and commitment from all signatories to ensure its long-term success.

Future discussions at the treaty’s first Conference of Parties will address operational challenges, such as monitoring protected areas and ensuring compliance with the treaty’s goals.

Autonomous A2Z Ranks 7th Globally in 2025 Guidehouse Automated Driving Leaderboard, Marking Highest-Ever Ranking for a Korean Company

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Advertorial Desk
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– Guidehouse Research Leaderboard 2025 ranks Autonomous A2Z 7th overall, the highest position ever achieved by a Korean autonomous driving company
– Only Korean company to be ranked for three consecutive years; rises for the second straight year, climbing four places year-over-year into the global Top 10
– Ranked 5th globally in Strategy, recognized for Level 4 autonomous vehicle “ROii,” APEC deployment, and global scalability

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Autonomous driving startup Autonomous A2Z (CEO Ji-hyung Han, hereinafter “A2Z”) announced that it has been ranked 7th globally in the 2025 Automated Driving Systems Leaderboard published by Guidehouse, marking the highest ranking ever achieved by a Korean company in the report’s history.

Autonomous A2Z achieves Korea’s highest-ever ranking, placing 7th in Guidehouse’s global autonomous driving leaderboard
Autonomous A2Z achieves Korea’s highest-ever ranking, placing 7th in Guidehouse’s global autonomous driving leaderboard

Guidehouse, which was established following a spin-off from PwC’s public sector and advisory practice, is a global consulting firm. Since 2015, Guidehouse has published the world’s only comprehensive global leaderboard evaluating the capabilities of autonomous driving companies.

A2Z first entered the rankings in 2023 at 13th place, followed by 11th in 2024 and 7th in 2025. It is the only Korean company to appear on the leaderboard for three consecutive years and has recorded two consecutive annual ranking increases, reinforcing its position as Korea’s leading autonomous driving company with growing global competitiveness.

The 2025 evaluation assessed companies across two major dimensions: Strategy, including vision, go-to-market strategy, partners, production strategy, technology, and geographic reach; and Execution, covering sales/marketing and distribution, product performance, product quality and reliability, product portfolio, pricing, and staying power.

This year’s assessment placed greater emphasis on geographic expansion and pricing, reflecting not only technological competitiveness but also companies’ long-term viability and self-sustainability in the capital-intensive autonomous driving market. 

Notably, A2Z ranked 5th overall in the Strategy category, outperforming all companies classified in the “Contenders” group and trailing only the four companies designated as “Leaders.” Within this category, A2Z received particularly high scores in Production Strategy, Technology, and Geographic Reach.

Guidehouse highlighted A2Z’s clear and differentiated market entry strategy centered on public transportation, its extensive real-world driving experience gained through close collaboration with government and public institutions, and its strong potential for global expansion.

Among the key factors cited was A2Z’s successful deployment of autonomous vehicles during the APEC 2025 Leaders’ Meeting, as well as large-scale autonomous driving demonstrations in government districts, ownership of the domestically developed Level 4 autonomous vehicle “ROii” with a 96% localization rate, and a competitive pricing structure. The company’s progress toward near-term commercialization in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Japan was also noted as a significant strength.

“Being selected to officially operate Level 4 autonomous vehicles—developed entirely with Korean technology—at a global event such as the APEC Leaders’ Meeting was a meaningful factor in this year’s evaluation,” said Ji-hyung Han, CEO of Autonomous A2Z. “We are deeply grateful for the support and collaboration of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and other related organizations. Building on Korea’s upcoming large-scale autonomous driving demonstration cities, we will accelerate operational scale-up and technological advancement to contribute to the national goal of becoming one of the world’s top three AI powers.”

[Guidehouse Report Download – Paid Access] Guidehouse Research Leaderboard: Automated Driving Systems (2025)

About Autonomous A2Z
https://autoa2z.co.kr/
Founded in 2018 by CEO Ji-hyung Han and four former Hyundai Motor Group autonomous driving engineers, Autonomous A2Z is one of Korea’s leading autonomous driving companies. The company operates the nation’s largest fleet of autonomous vehicles, with experience running 82 autonomous vehicles nationwide and has accumulated approximately 940,000 kilometers of autonomous driving mileage—the highest in Korea’s urban autonomous driving sector.

Leveraging this experience, A2Z develops a range of future mobility services, including urban autonomous shuttles and smart logistics mobility solutions, with a focus on safe and efficient commercialization of autonomous driving technology. In 2024, the company completed development of its Level 4 autonomous vehicle, ROii, and plans to pursue full commercialization following performance certification testing in 2026.

A2Z is also accelerating its global expansion. The company established a Singapore joint venture, A2G (Autonomous to Global), with global expansion partner KILSA Global, secured the COSMO smart city project in Singapore, and became the first Korean company to obtain a local autonomous driving license (M1). In the UAE, A2Z formed a joint venture with AI company Space42, marking the first such partnership for a Korean autonomous driving firm, and in Japan, it signed an MOU with trading company Kanematsu to explore entry into the Japanese autonomous driving market.
Through collaborations spanning mobility services for transportation-disadvantaged populations and smart logistics solutions, Autonomous A2Z continues to drive sustainable innovation in future mobility.

Media Contact (PR Agency) 
Doyeon Kang
CEO, Peak Road
dy@peakroad.kr 

 

Beauty Farm Issues Positive Profit Alert for 2025

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Advertorial Desk
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HONG KONG, Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Beauty Farm Medical and Health Industry Inc. (“Beauty Farm” or the “Company”) (02373.HK), one of the largest beauty and wellness services providers in China, issued a positive profit alert for the year ended December 31, 2025.

As disclosed, the Company anticipates revenue of not less than RMB 3.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, representing robust growth of not less than 16% compared with the corresponding period in 2024. Based on a preliminary assessment of the unaudited results, Beauty Farm expects an adjusted net profit of not less than RMB 380 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, indicating a strong increase of not less than 40% from the prior year, and forecasts a net profit of not less than RMB 340 million, showcasing a significant surge of not less than 34% compared with the corresponding period in 2024.

The anticipated strength of the Company’s 2025 performance was mainly attributable to the following factors:

1. Industry consolidation acceleration: As a leading player in the industry, the Group has successfully integrated Guangzhou Naturade Health Management Co., Ltd.(“Naturade”), the second largest brand in China’s beauty services industry. This acquisition has significantly expanded its market share in the beauty and wellness sector and contributed substantially to the Group’s revenue and profit.

2. Robust organic growth: The expansion of brand influence, coupled with internal revenue growth driven by an increasing customer base, together with a rising revenue contribution from high-margin medical business and the benefits from refined operational efficiency, has jointly driven further growth in profit margins.

Mr. Li Yang, Executive Director and Chairman of the Board, commented: ” our stellar preliminary results demonstrate the success of our dual-engine strategy of “organic growth + external acquisitions.” In 2025, we further acquired the third largest beauty Brand Shanghai Siyanli Industrial Co., Ltd. (“Siyanli”), following the acquisition of Naturade. The synergy of these three leading brands is poised to drastically elevate the Group’s industry standing and market share. Moving forward, we are confident that our strategy will enable us to further strengthen our market leadership, expand our service network, and deliver enhanced value to all stakeholders.”

The information contained in this press release is only a preliminary assessment by the Board based on the unaudited consolidated management accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2025, currently available to the Company, and is not based on any figures or information that have been reviewed or confirmed by the audit committee of the Board or reviewed or audited by the auditors of the Company. The actual results for the year ended December 31, 2025, may differ from those disclosed in this press release. As such, the above figures are strictly for information only and not for any other purposes.

About Beauty Farm

Beauty Farm Medical and Health Industry Inc. is a leading beauty and health management platform in China. Over the past 32 years, Beauty Farm has developed a unique “dual beauty + dual wellness” business model, covering customers’ comprehensive beauty and health needs for their entire life cycle. We offer a diversified service matrix, including beauty and wellness brands Beauty Farm, Naturade, Palaispa and Siyanli, aesthetic medical brand CellCare, and subhealth medical services brand Neology. Our nationwide store network reaches over 100 cities with over 730 stores and serves millions of mid-to-high-end customers in top-tier cities in China.

For more information, please visit https://ir.beautyfarm.com.cn/.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Beauty Farm Medical and Health Industry Inc.
Vivian Lu
Tel: +86 (21) 6095-3299
Email: ir@beautyfarm.com.cn

Over 400 Indonesians Released by Cambodian Scam Networks, Ambassador Says

By
Thongsavanh Souvannasane
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People line up in front of the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh on January 19, 2026. More than 400 Indonesians were freed by cyberscam networks in Cambodia this month, Jakarta said on January 19, after Phnom Penh announced a fresh crackdown on the illicit industry following the arrest of a prominent alleged boss. About 100 people were also queuing outside the Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh on the afternoon of January 19, but those approached by an AFP journalist declined to speak. (Photo: Photo by STR / AFP)

By Suy Se with Dessy Sagita in Jakarta and Matt Surrusco in Bangkok/AFP – Cyberscam networks in Cambodia have freed more than 400 Indonesians this month, Jakarta said on 19 January, after Phnom Penh announced a fresh crackdown on the illicit industry.

Scammers working from hubs across Southeast Asia, some willingly and others trafficked, lure internet users globally into fake romances and cryptocurrency investments, netting tens of billions of dollars each year.

Some foreign nationals have left suspected scam compounds across Cambodia this month as the government pledged to “eliminate” problems related to the online fraud trade, which the United Nations says employs at least 100,000 people in Cambodia alone.

Recent Cambodian law enforcement measures resulted in “many online scam syndicates… letting their workers go”, Indonesia’s ambassador to Cambodia, Santo Darmosumarto, said in a video posted to social media.

Between January 1 and 18, 440 Indonesians came to the embassy in Phnom Penh after they had been “released by online scam syndicates”, many seeking to return home, according to a post on Instagram.

“Because Cambodia’s crackdown will continue, the embassy predicts many more will flow in from the provinces,” Santo said.

He said the Indonesians who went to the embassy had been “involved in online scams” for anywhere between a few months and several years, and some had their passports taken from them.

Santo said the embassy would expedite repatriations but all Indonesians were “being directed to return home independently”.

Police were coming

Dozens of people, some with suitcases, lined up outside the Indonesian embassy on Monday.

An 18-year-old from Indonesia’s Sumatra said he fled a compound in Bavet city, near Cambodia’s border with Vietnam, where he was forced to scam people online for eight months without pay despite being promised $600 per month.

He told AFP he arrived in Phnom Penh on Sunday and came to the embassy to ask for a new passport because his was “with a Chinese boss”.

“They heard police were coming inside the compound, so they let everyone go,” he said.

Transnational crime groups, mostly based in Cambodia and Myanmar, initially largely targeted Chinese speakers, but have expanded their vast scam operations into multiple languages.

About 100 people were also queueing outside the Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh on Monday, but those approached by AFP declined to speak.

China’s foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing “attaches great importance to the safety of Chinese citizens overseas” when asked at a regular news briefing about the lines outside the embassy in Cambodia.

Cambodia arrested and deported Chinese-born tycoon Chen Zhi, accused of running internet scam operations from Cambodia, to China this month.

Chen, a former Cambodian government adviser, was indicted by US authorities in October.

Not the end

Mark Taylor, an anti-trafficking expert in Cambodia, said Chen’s extradition seemed to have sent shockwaves through the scam industry, with some operators likely fearing legal consequences and opting to release people or evacuate their compounds.

Many scam operators likely fear “that they’re going to face punishment, eventually”, Taylor told AFP.

But he noted alleged links between politicians and scam networks, and previous crackdowns that amounted to “showcase, performative acts”.

The latest measures were likely just “another transaction” — a tactical move to shift equipment, managers and workers, and stay in business, said Taylor.

“There’s no evidence that this is really an end of the industry.”

Cambodian officials have denied allegations of government involvement, with authorities saying around 5,000 people were arrested in scam raids in the last six months.

After rights monitors and media reports linked Cambodian tycoons to the scam industry for years, the first prominent local businessman to be prosecuted, Ly Kuong, was charged last week with human trafficking, money laundering and running several scam compounds.

© Agence France-Presse

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