Guest: Ling Li

Summary

In this conversation, Helen Avadiar-Nimbalker speaks with investigative journalist Ling Li and advocate Michelle B.J. Moore about the complexities of the scam industry in Southeast Asia, which intertwines with human trafficking, organized crime, and exploitation. They discuss the brutal realities faced by victims, the challenges of rescue operations, and the urgent need for collaboration among NGOs, law enforcement, and the private sector. The conversation highlights the evolving tactics of scammers, the economic implications of scam compounds, and the critical need for funding and reforms to support victims and combat this growing crisis.

Takeaways

• The scam industry is a complex web of exploitation.
• Victims often face dual identities as both victims and perpetrators.
• Rescue operations are hindered by corruption and lack of resources.
• The geographic expansion of scam compounds is alarming.
• Funding cuts severely impact NGOs and their ability to help victims.
• Collaboration between NGOs and law enforcement is essential.
• New recruitment tactics are emerging in the scam industry.
• The intersection of cybercrime and organized crime complicates enforcement efforts.
• Victim identification processes need urgent reform.
• The economic impact of scam compounds on local communities is significant.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cybercrime and Human Trafficking

02:39 Ling Li's Journey and the EOS Collective

05:32 The Brutality of Scam Compounds

08:26 Rescue Operations and the Role of NGOs

11:37 Victim-Perpetrator Duality in Scam Centers

14:45 Changing Profiles of Victims

17:22 Geographic Expansion of Scam Operations

20:31 The Impact of Funding Cuts on NGOs

23:37 The Role of Foreign Investors in Scam Compounds

31:44 Exploitation and Collaboration Challenges

35:37 Recruitment Tactics in Scamming

39:45 The Need for Real-Time Reporting

42:56 Data Sharing and Intelligence Collaboration

54:22 Victim Identification and Legal Reforms

01:00:25 Overlooked Sectors in Human Trafficking

01:04:03 Economic Impact of Scamming Compounds

01:11:44 The Global Expansion of Scamming and Its Victims

01:15:42 The Need for Collaboration and Reform

01:24:50 Funding Challenges and Solutions for Victims

Support the show

Published by Asia Freedom Network.
The Human Trace is produced to spark real conversations, amplify unheard stories, and trace the human impact behind global issues.

Helen Avadiar-Nimbalker is a trauma specialist, anti-trafficking strategist, and Director of the Asia Freedom Network. She is the founder of The Whispering Willow and CEO of Rise Foundation Asia — two organisations providing trauma-informed, community-based support for survivors of exploitation across Southeast Asia. With over two decades of experience, Helen has supported displaced communities, led survivor care initiatives, advised governments and civil society on systems reform, and shaped regional conversations on human rights, trauma, and justice.

Connect: linkedin.com/in/helenavadiarnimbalker
Learn more at asiafreedomnetwork.org and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn @asiafreedomnetwork.

Guest: Yasmin Ullah (https://www.instagram.com/rohingyawomencollaborative/)

This conversation delves into the plight of the Rohingya people, exploring their identity crisis, personal journeys of displacement and the human element of refugee experiences. Yasmin Ullah, a Rohingya human rights activist, shares her insights on the historical context of the Rohingya's struggles, the importance of women empowerment in activism, and the challenges of intergenerational fight for her people. The discussion emphasizes the need for understanding, compassion, and collective action to address the ongoing crisis and support the Rohingya community.

Takeaways

• The Rohingya have faced systematic erasure from history.
• Displacement has deeply affected the Rohingya identity.
• Women play a crucial role in Rohingya activism.
• The journey of refugees is filled with human stories.
• Intergenerational trauma impacts the Rohingya community.
• Advocacy requires understanding international structures.
• Cultural erasure is a significant issue for the Rohingya.
• Healing is a non-linear process for survivors.
• Collective action is essential for change.
• The Rohingya community seeks to return home safely.

Chapters

00:00 The Rohingya Identity Crisis

16:18 The Journey of Displacement

28:32 Empowerment Through Activism

31:06 Empowering Rohingya Women for Change

36:35 The Quest for Effective Advocacy

40:51 Hope and the Delusional Human Spirit

45:02 Addressing Regional Responses to the Rohingya Crisis

50:40 Navigating Intergenerational Trauma and Healing

56:01 Call to Action: Supporting the Rohingya Movement

Support the show

Published by Asia Freedom Network.
The Human Trace is produced to spark real conversations, amplify unheard stories, and trace the human impact behind global issues.

Helen Avadiar-Nimbalker is a trauma specialist, anti-trafficking strategist, and Director of the Asia Freedom Network. She is the founder of The Whispering Willow and CEO of Rise Foundation Asia — two organisations providing trauma-informed, community-based support for survivors of exploitation across Southeast Asia. With over two decades of experience, Helen has supported displaced communities, led survivor care initiatives, advised governments and civil society on systems reform, and shaped regional conversations on human rights, trauma, and justice.

Connect: linkedin.com/in/helenavadiarnimbalker
Learn more at asiafreedomnetwork.org and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn @asiafreedomnetwork.

With guest Tehmina Kaoosji. https://www.linkedin.com/in/tehmina-kaoosji/
Independent Broadcast Journalist, Partner & Comms Director, TBP Communications & Gender Equity Activist

In this episode of The Human Trace, journalist and gender equity advocate Tehmina Kaoosji joins us for a grounded conversation on gender-based violence, social inequality, and the critical role of media in shaping public perception. With a strong focus on Malaysia, Tehmina unpacks how systemic issues persist but also how younger generations are challenging harmful norms and creating cultural shifts from the inside out. This is a candid, hopeful and informed look at what it takes to move the needle in deeply rooted systems.

Support the show

Published by Asia Freedom Network.
The Human Trace is produced to spark real conversations, amplify unheard stories, and trace the human impact behind global issues.

Helen Avadiar-Nimbalker is a trauma specialist, anti-trafficking strategist, and Director of the Asia Freedom Network. She is the founder of The Whispering Willow and CEO of Rise Foundation Asia — two organisations providing trauma-informed, community-based support for survivors of exploitation across Southeast Asia. With over two decades of experience, Helen has supported displaced communities, led survivor care initiatives, advised governments and civil society on systems reform, and shaped regional conversations on human rights, trauma, and justice.

Connect: linkedin.com/in/helenavadiarnimbalker
Learn more at asiafreedomnetwork.org and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn @asiafreedomnetwork.