Lured online, sold for $5,000: How Nigerian youths are trapped in Asia’s cyber-slave camps (2)

Nigerian youths were lured online, tricked into working in Asia under brutal conditions, according to an investigative report. Some ended up running scams, while others were beaten, electrocuted, or forced to meet financial targets. The victims were promised lucrative jobs and easy money to escape Nigeria's economic hardship, but instead found themselves trapped in guarded compounds in Myanmar and Cambodia.

They were subjected to threats, including beatings, electrocution, and imprisonment if they failed to meet the daily targets of $300,000. The Chinese bosses monitored the detainees closely and punished any infractions, even minor ones like sleeping at the desk, by deducting from their already-low monthly salary. Detainees were forced to work non-stop, denied food, and subjected to physical abuse.

A Liberian survivor died from internal bleeding after being beaten, and another Nigerian died from exhaustion. Despite the horrific conditions, some detainees held prayer sessions and attempted to contact aid organizations, which led to their rescue after months of coordinated pressure. The detainees were eventually deported to Thailand and Bangkok's Immigration Detention Centre, where they described the conditions as worse than their initial captivity.