In brief
Selam Gebrekidan and Joy Dong's investigation into how a major money laundering network functions in Sihanoukville reveals shocking insights about the scamming underworld.
Selam Gebrekidan, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, recently embarked on a complex investigation into one of the world's largest money laundering operations, spending months unraveling the intricacies of these criminal enterprises. Alongside Joy Dong, a researcher reporting on China, she aimed to shed light on how scammers and launderers exploit the system to evade justice.With visuals in her Hong Kong apartment depicting the complex relationships and steps involved in the laundering process, Gebrekidan approached the project with the goal of making the findings accessible to readers. Their article covers the detailed operation of a specific money laundering network based in Southeast Asia, particularly in Sihanoukville, Cambodia—an area rife with scam activities since the pandemic.During their research, the duo interviewed several scammers and launderers to provide firsthand accounts on the operations. “Understanding the criminal underworld was vital,” Gebrekidan noted, explaining their fascination with Sihanoukville, known for its casinos. On her visit, she observed many unfinished structures, pondering what’s happening within the illuminated upper floors throughout the night, indicative of the ongoing illicit activities hidden from public view.The investigation exposes the longer shadows cast by these unregulated regions, highlighting a deeply layered world of crime that many would otherwise remain oblivious to. Through this account, Gebrekidan and Dong not only report on a money laundering network but present a portrait of a vibrant, chaotic environment where the lines between legality and crime blur.
