Ghanaians Stranded in Cambodia After Falling Victim to Fake Chinese Job Offers
Alloko David, a Ghanaian currently in Cambodia, has revealed the difficult situation many Africans are facing after being lured to the country with false job promises.
According to him, many Ghanaians, Ugandans, and other Africans were recruited online by companies claiming to offer well-paying jobs in Cambodia. The advertisements looked genuine, and some applicants were even given offer letters and flight arrangements. However, upon arrival, they realized the truth was very different.
David explained that most of them were brought into Cambodia on visitor visas, with promises that their visas would later be converted into work permits. Unfortunately, that never happened. Their visas expired and were not renewed, leaving them stranded and classified as overstayers.
“In Cambodia, if you overstay your visa, you must pay $10 per day before you are allowed to leave the country,” he said. “If someone stays one year without renewal, that means $3,650 in overstay penalties alone.”
He disclosed that many of the companies behind these recruitments are alleged Chinese scam operations. After arriving, some workers discovered they were being forced into fraudulent online activities. Those who refused were dismissed, stranded, or had their passports seized.
“They took our passports and made us work so they could recover the money they claimed they spent to bring us here,” David revealed.
The situation has become severe. Many Africans are now homeless, hungry, and living on the streets. Some landlords reportedly take advantage of them — collecting rent upfront and later demanding passports. When tenants cannot provide valid residence documents, they are evicted without refunds and sometimes even reported to the police.
Initially, about 300 Ghanaians gathered to discuss their situation. Now, the number has grown to nearly 400 as more victims come forward.
David said the Ghana Ambassador to Malaysia recently visited Cambodia and assured them she would intervene regarding the overstay penalties. According to him, there were discussions about waiving the fines so stranded Ghanaians could at least buy their own tickets and return home without the heavy financial burden.
“We are more than stranded,” he said. “We just want the overstay fines to be waived so we can go back to Ghana.”
David himself has spent one year in Cambodia. If required to pay the full overstay penalty, he would owe $3,650 — an amount he cannot afford.
He shared that he applied for the job after seeing an online advertisement. Everything appeared legitimate at the time. He was recruited from Ghana, given assurances, and transported to Cambodia. But upon arrival, he realized the company was involved in scam operations and that the promises made to him were false.
He is now using his experience to warn others:
“If you see a job online and they give you a visitor visa, promising to change it when you arrive, don’t believe it. It’s a lie. Don’t fall for it.”
David is calling for urgent support to help stranded Ghanaians return home safely and rebuild their lives.
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