A Chinese internet celebrity, known for her large following on short-video platforms, has been rescued by the Chinese embassy in Cambodia after being found stranded and injured on the streets of Sihanoukville. She was lured to the country with promises of a high-paying job, only to end up homeless and in poor physical condition.
The Ordeal of a Digital Star
The internet celebrity, identified by her surname Wu, was discovered in a hospital in Sihanoukville after days of searching by the Chinese embassy. She reported being deceived by offers of a “high-paying job” which led to her current predicament. Her family confirmed her identity and had reported her missing since late December after losing contact.
Embassy’s Swift Action and Warning
Upon learning of Wu’s situation, the Chinese embassy in Cambodia immediately collaborated with Cambodian police and local contacts to locate her. After finding her in a critical state, the embassy arranged for her transfer to a better-equipped hospital for treatment. Her physical condition has since improved, and arrangements are being made for her family to travel to Cambodia to complete the necessary procedures for her repatriation.
The embassy issued a stern warning to Chinese nationals, emphasizing that many overseas “high-paying recruitment” offers are linked to illicit activities such as online gambling, telecom fraud, pornography, and drug trafficking. They cautioned that falling victim to such schemes can lead to illegal detention, abuse, and life-threatening dangers, urging citizens not to believe such promises or take desperate risks.
A Wider Pattern of Scams
This incident is not isolated. Recent reports have highlighted similar cases involving Chinese nationals, including a Chinese actor who was rescued from a scam center in Myanmar after being lured by a fake acting job offer in Thailand. These scams often involve trafficking individuals across borders, forcing them into cybercrime operations, and holding them against their will. The scale of these operations is significant, with hundreds of cases reported by families seeking help for missing loved ones.