Nathan Paul Southern
@nathanpaulsouthern.bsky.social
Security specialist- Covering conflict, mafia/gov connections, cyber slavery, environmental crime, human trafficking, arms smuggling and corruption.
Reporting for The Guardian, Foreign Policy, Al Jazeera etc
Ops Director at The Eyewitness Project
Reporting for The Guardian, Foreign Policy, Al Jazeera etc
Ops Director at The Eyewitness Project
A woman was found dead today in Phnom Penh on the street outside Prince Central Plaza. This area of compound like buildings has previously been linked to cyber scam operations, as well as allegations of human trafficking and forced labor.
Deatairs are still developing.
Deatairs are still developing.
May 18, 2025 at 11:08 AM
A woman was found dead today in Phnom Penh on the street outside Prince Central Plaza. This area of compound like buildings has previously been linked to cyber scam operations, as well as allegations of human trafficking and forced labor.
Deatairs are still developing.
Deatairs are still developing.
Huione Guarantee- the biggest ever online criminal marketplace - has been removed from Telegram. Me and Lindsey Kennedy’s @MoscowTimes investigation shows how Telegram has become the digital playground for the world's worst.
t.co/wBFF52l0xb
t.co/wBFF52l0xb
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/09/11/telegrams-free-speech-ethos-cannot-excuse-the-horrific-crimes-it-facilitates-a86249
t.co
May 12, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Huione Guarantee- the biggest ever online criminal marketplace - has been removed from Telegram. Me and Lindsey Kennedy’s @MoscowTimes investigation shows how Telegram has become the digital playground for the world's worst.
t.co/wBFF52l0xb
t.co/wBFF52l0xb
"Our investigation found that some schools willingly enter into these criminal arrangements. Others, desperately in need of resources, simply accept scholarships or funding from tycoons and criminal-linked entities..."
our latest with @thediplomat.com thediplomat.com/2025/05/gate...
our latest with @thediplomat.com thediplomat.com/2025/05/gate...
Gateway to Corruption: Cambodia’s Education-Crime Nexus
Some private educational institutions have established ties to corrupt tycoons and crime-linked entities, while the public system is reliant on philanthropy – often from those very same sources.
thediplomat.com
May 12, 2025 at 1:13 AM
"Our investigation found that some schools willingly enter into these criminal arrangements. Others, desperately in need of resources, simply accept scholarships or funding from tycoons and criminal-linked entities..."
our latest with @thediplomat.com thediplomat.com/2025/05/gate...
our latest with @thediplomat.com thediplomat.com/2025/05/gate...
Reposted by Nathan Paul Southern
Cambodia: Great piece from @nathanpaulsouthern.bsky.social & Lindsey Kennedy.
"Our investigation found that some schools willingly enter into these criminal arrangements. Others, desperately in need of resources, simply accept scholarships or funding from tycoons and criminal-linked entities..."
"Our investigation found that some schools willingly enter into these criminal arrangements. Others, desperately in need of resources, simply accept scholarships or funding from tycoons and criminal-linked entities..."
Gateway to Corruption: Cambodia’s Education-Crime Nexus
Some private educational institutions have established ties to corrupt tycoons and crime-linked entities, while the public system is reliant on philanthropy – often from those very same sources.
thediplomat.com
May 8, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Cambodia: Great piece from @nathanpaulsouthern.bsky.social & Lindsey Kennedy.
"Our investigation found that some schools willingly enter into these criminal arrangements. Others, desperately in need of resources, simply accept scholarships or funding from tycoons and criminal-linked entities..."
"Our investigation found that some schools willingly enter into these criminal arrangements. Others, desperately in need of resources, simply accept scholarships or funding from tycoons and criminal-linked entities..."
Myself and Lindsey Kennedy go into how North Korea links up to the cyber slavery trade and other organised crime connections funding the regime just now. globalinitiative.net/analysis/whe...
Where does North Korea get its cash?
On 12 February 2025, North Korea reopened to visitors, five years after closing its borders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite political isolation, few trading partners, crippling food insecurity, ...
globalinitiative.net
April 23, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Myself and Lindsey Kennedy go into how North Korea links up to the cyber slavery trade and other organised crime connections funding the regime just now. globalinitiative.net/analysis/whe...
Me and Lindsey Kennedy rattle on about how the cyber slavery and Asian organized crime crisis is going global but how this connects to USAID cuts and the difficulty in covering under-reported conflict and humanitarian crisis in the world’s less spoken about regions.
youtu.be/psXkYhsTE50?...
youtu.be/psXkYhsTE50?...
Inside the Rise of the Chinese Mafia’s Digital Slave Trade
YouTube video by IRONCLAD
youtu.be
April 23, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Me and Lindsey Kennedy rattle on about how the cyber slavery and Asian organized crime crisis is going global but how this connects to USAID cuts and the difficulty in covering under-reported conflict and humanitarian crisis in the world’s less spoken about regions.
youtu.be/psXkYhsTE50?...
youtu.be/psXkYhsTE50?...
Myself and Lindsey Kennedy’s
latest discussion with Andy Stumpf
explores the growth of the cyber crime and slavery crisis and how this booming organised crime trade is interescting with conflict and corruption on a global scale. youtu.be/psXkYhsTE50?...
latest discussion with Andy Stumpf
explores the growth of the cyber crime and slavery crisis and how this booming organised crime trade is interescting with conflict and corruption on a global scale. youtu.be/psXkYhsTE50?...
Inside the Rise of the Chinese Mafia’s Digital Slave Trade
YouTube video by IRONCLAD
youtu.be
April 22, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Myself and Lindsey Kennedy’s
latest discussion with Andy Stumpf
explores the growth of the cyber crime and slavery crisis and how this booming organised crime trade is interescting with conflict and corruption on a global scale. youtu.be/psXkYhsTE50?...
latest discussion with Andy Stumpf
explores the growth of the cyber crime and slavery crisis and how this booming organised crime trade is interescting with conflict and corruption on a global scale. youtu.be/psXkYhsTE50?...
Good Work from SCMP, but we should be cautious with terms like "crackdown." There Was no Cambo crackdown—rather, it staged a faux show of force , and the compounds resumed operations within days or weeks. Myanmar's ‘crackdown’ appears to also be largely performative.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJWj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJWj...
Why Southeast Asia is a hotbed for Chinese criminal gangs
YouTube video by South China Morning Post
www.youtube.com
April 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Good Work from SCMP, but we should be cautious with terms like "crackdown." There Was no Cambo crackdown—rather, it staged a faux show of force , and the compounds resumed operations within days or weeks. Myanmar's ‘crackdown’ appears to also be largely performative.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJWj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJWj...
Myself and Lindsey Kennedy look into how North Korea is increasingly developing relationships with organised crime syndicates, state governments and the rapidly growing cyber scam industry to raise money for the state.
globalinitiative.net/analysis/whe...
globalinitiative.net/analysis/whe...
Where does North Korea get its cash?
On 12 February 2025, North Korea reopened to visitors, five years after closing its borders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite political isolation, few trading partners, crippling food insecurity, ...
globalinitiative.net
April 1, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Myself and Lindsey Kennedy look into how North Korea is increasingly developing relationships with organised crime syndicates, state governments and the rapidly growing cyber scam industry to raise money for the state.
globalinitiative.net/analysis/whe...
globalinitiative.net/analysis/whe...
Reposted by Nathan Paul Southern
That's the torch officially passed, my time as OPCC president was cut short, but I have total faith in our new El Presidenté @nathanpaulsouthern.bsky.social
The Oversees Press Club of Cambodia (OPCC) have had their annual elections and I have the delight of taking over as president for the next year.
Any comments here are my my own views and not the OPCC but please get in touch for any media in Cambodia related chats. opc-cambodia.org/about-the-op...
Any comments here are my my own views and not the OPCC but please get in touch for any media in Cambodia related chats. opc-cambodia.org/about-the-op...
The Board
opc-cambodia.org
March 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
That's the torch officially passed, my time as OPCC president was cut short, but I have total faith in our new El Presidenté @nathanpaulsouthern.bsky.social
The Oversees Press Club of Cambodia (OPCC) have had their annual elections and I have the delight of taking over as president for the next year.
Any comments here are my my own views and not the OPCC but please get in touch for any media in Cambodia related chats. opc-cambodia.org/about-the-op...
Any comments here are my my own views and not the OPCC but please get in touch for any media in Cambodia related chats. opc-cambodia.org/about-the-op...
The Board
opc-cambodia.org
March 27, 2025 at 9:50 AM
The Oversees Press Club of Cambodia (OPCC) have had their annual elections and I have the delight of taking over as president for the next year.
Any comments here are my my own views and not the OPCC but please get in touch for any media in Cambodia related chats. opc-cambodia.org/about-the-op...
Any comments here are my my own views and not the OPCC but please get in touch for any media in Cambodia related chats. opc-cambodia.org/about-the-op...
“If in the next few months, a few key figures aren't sanctioned by Western countries, then it's beginning to seem like there really is no limit for what these criminal syndicates can do, and they can just keep growing,” Southern said
My thoughts in CNA
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/scammin...
My thoughts in CNA
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/scammin...
Southeast Asia’s rampant scam industry still morphing, adapting despite Beijing flexing its muscle
Recent crackdowns by Thailand and China on scamming compounds in Myanmar have shown Beijing’s willingness to exert pressure to protect its own people and interests, experts say. But it’s unlikely to expand to region-wide action to rein in the syndicates involved.
www.channelnewsasia.com
March 26, 2025 at 10:28 AM
“If in the next few months, a few key figures aren't sanctioned by Western countries, then it's beginning to seem like there really is no limit for what these criminal syndicates can do, and they can just keep growing,” Southern said
My thoughts in CNA
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/scammin...
My thoughts in CNA
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/scammin...
“It's not stopped. It's moved to other compounds that are rapidly developing further down the river and it's growing everywhere in the region. And I think the world really needs to not take its eyes off this,”
My thoughts in CNA for EyeWitness Project.
www.linkedin.com/posts/the-ey...
My thoughts in CNA for EyeWitness Project.
www.linkedin.com/posts/the-ey...
Southeast Asia’s rampant scam industry still morphing, adapting despite… | The EyeWitness Project (EWP)
A great piece from Jack Board for CNA on the booming trade in scam compounds and human trafficking in Southeast Asia despite the very public raids on the…
www.linkedin.com
March 26, 2025 at 10:14 AM
“It's not stopped. It's moved to other compounds that are rapidly developing further down the river and it's growing everywhere in the region. And I think the world really needs to not take its eyes off this,”
My thoughts in CNA for EyeWitness Project.
www.linkedin.com/posts/the-ey...
My thoughts in CNA for EyeWitness Project.
www.linkedin.com/posts/the-ey...
This was an absolutely great chat we had @jameskennedy.bsky.social! Let’s do another pod soon, mate!
Honestly, one of the craziest chats I've ever had. Nathan Paul Southern tells me about the East Asian casinos used as cyber slavery compounds, organised crime, government collusion, western complicity, money laundering & all sorts of madness!
@nathanpaulsouthern.bsky.social
youtu.be/Jnj_DaBKvTk?...
@nathanpaulsouthern.bsky.social
youtu.be/Jnj_DaBKvTk?...
#29 - Nathan Paul Southern - Cyber slavery, organised crime & government collusion
YouTube video by The James Kennedy Podcast
youtu.be
March 26, 2025 at 10:12 AM
This was an absolutely great chat we had @jameskennedy.bsky.social! Let’s do another pod soon, mate!
Myself, Lindsey Kennedy, our incredible team at the EyeWitness Project who we can't name for security reasons and America's most prolific scam fighter- Erin West- documented the terrifying growth of cyber slavery, human traffickign and scam compounds throughout 1000 miles of Cambodia.
March 11, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Myself, Lindsey Kennedy, our incredible team at the EyeWitness Project who we can't name for security reasons and America's most prolific scam fighter- Erin West- documented the terrifying growth of cyber slavery, human traffickign and scam compounds throughout 1000 miles of Cambodia.
Reposted by Nathan Paul Southern
Cambodia: @nathanpaulsouthern.bsky.social: "pretty much everyone is self-censoring, quitting the profession or running away. Reporting on environmental issues is especially dangerous, but covering other crises... [is] getting people killed or arrested, too."
Article 🖊️: @tommywalker.bsky.social
Article 🖊️: @tommywalker.bsky.social
Cambodia: Press freedom under attack – DW – 02/17/2025
Local and foreign journalists are enduring a crackdown in the Southeast Asian country.
www.dw.com
February 20, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Cambodia: @nathanpaulsouthern.bsky.social: "pretty much everyone is self-censoring, quitting the profession or running away. Reporting on environmental issues is especially dangerous, but covering other crises... [is] getting people killed or arrested, too."
Article 🖊️: @tommywalker.bsky.social
Article 🖊️: @tommywalker.bsky.social
Reports of arrests, rescues and closures of scam operations through Myanmar's Shwe Kokko and KK park is great news. But, predictably, operations have already been found to be growing at a rapid rate in the valley along the Moei River.
February 20, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Reports of arrests, rescues and closures of scam operations through Myanmar's Shwe Kokko and KK park is great news. But, predictably, operations have already been found to be growing at a rapid rate in the valley along the Moei River.
Here I am rambling to Mike Graham about the Global scam and human trafficking crisis and discussing some of the work that the EyeWitness Project has been doing on this.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=msMY...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=msMY...
“Enormous Criminal Marketplace” | Eight-Year-Olds Scammed Online
YouTube video by TalkTV
m.youtube.com
February 12, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Here I am rambling to Mike Graham about the Global scam and human trafficking crisis and discussing some of the work that the EyeWitness Project has been doing on this.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=msMY...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=msMY...
Myself and Lindsey Kennedy's long form feature in explores how Cambodia has been transformed into a hub for organised crime, human trafficking and scam activity and who the people are behind this.
www.thedial.world/articles/new...
www.thedial.world/articles/new...
Cambodia’s Billion Dollar Scam — The Dial
Thousands of people have been trafficked into the country to work in cyber scamming compounds built with Chinese money. Now they’re stuck there.
www.thedial.world
February 11, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Myself and Lindsey Kennedy's long form feature in explores how Cambodia has been transformed into a hub for organised crime, human trafficking and scam activity and who the people are behind this.
www.thedial.world/articles/new...
www.thedial.world/articles/new...
Some progress today with the Thai Deputy PM and Defence Minister announcing that they will cut power to 5 scam compound locations inside Myanmar on the Thai border. www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/202...
Thailand Strikes Back with Power Cut to Myanmar Border Scam Networks
Thailand will cut electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to five locations along its border with Myanmar starting February 5, marking an unprecedented move to combat transnational crime operations,
www.khaosodenglish.com
February 5, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Some progress today with the Thai Deputy PM and Defence Minister announcing that they will cut power to 5 scam compound locations inside Myanmar on the Thai border. www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/202...
Myself and Lindsey Kennedy's latest podcast appearance looks at how foreign mercenary groups, Erik Prince, Wagner and the UK's Rwanda migration plan all played a role in destabilising the DRC before the fall of Goma.
www.patreon.com/posts/121431...
www.patreon.com/posts/121431...
BONUS: The Mercenaries, Rebels and Robbers Fighting over Congo’s Riches | The Underworld Podcast
Get more from The Underworld Podcast on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 4, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Myself and Lindsey Kennedy's latest podcast appearance looks at how foreign mercenary groups, Erik Prince, Wagner and the UK's Rwanda migration plan all played a role in destabilising the DRC before the fall of Goma.
www.patreon.com/posts/121431...
www.patreon.com/posts/121431...
@geraldrflynn.bsky.social, one of the best environmental reporters in Cambodia has been banned and kicked out the country. Journalists are being deported, arrested and killed while immense wealth in the top echelons of the Cambodian government grow immensely.
t.co/Ol6Nrrazvy
t.co/Ol6Nrrazvy
https://news.mongabay.com/2025/02/statement-on-mongabay-journalist-gerald-flynns-blacklisting-from-cambodia-following-his-reporting-on-illegal-logging
t.co
February 3, 2025 at 1:50 PM
@geraldrflynn.bsky.social, one of the best environmental reporters in Cambodia has been banned and kicked out the country. Journalists are being deported, arrested and killed while immense wealth in the top echelons of the Cambodian government grow immensely.
t.co/Ol6Nrrazvy
t.co/Ol6Nrrazvy
Reposted by Nathan Paul Southern
Highly recommend this excellent excellent coverage! Very relevant right now
For anyone wanting to know more about the role that the UK played in fuelling Rwanda and M23's takeover of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo then please check out me and
Lindsey Kennedy's conversation with Jake Hanrahan on the Popular Front podcast. open.spotify.com/episode/5Rjz...
.
Lindsey Kennedy's conversation with Jake Hanrahan on the Popular Front podcast. open.spotify.com/episode/5Rjz...
.
Is the British Government Fuelling Rwandan Death Squads?
Popular Front · Episode
open.spotify.com
February 2, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Highly recommend this excellent excellent coverage! Very relevant right now
What you have is a modern day colonial structure where international corporations are exploiting the DRC for their vast mineral wealth and the people of the country are being rewarded with slave like conditions” -my thoughts on the DRC for
WION News Doc.
WION News Doc.
Inside DR Congo: Rwanda-Backed M23 Rebels Claim Seizing Goma, Why Is DRC Burning Now |WION Wideangle
YouTube video by WION
youtu.be
February 1, 2025 at 1:00 PM
What you have is a modern day colonial structure where international corporations are exploiting the DRC for their vast mineral wealth and the people of the country are being rewarded with slave like conditions” -my thoughts on the DRC for
WION News Doc.
WION News Doc.
What you have is a modern day colonial structure where international corporations are exploiting the DRC for their vast mineral wealth and the people of the country are being rewarded with slave like conditions” -my thoughts on the DRC for
WION News Doc.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=VQR0vg…
WION News Doc.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=VQR0vg…
February 1, 2025 at 12:57 PM
What you have is a modern day colonial structure where international corporations are exploiting the DRC for their vast mineral wealth and the people of the country are being rewarded with slave like conditions” -my thoughts on the DRC for
WION News Doc.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=VQR0vg…
WION News Doc.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=VQR0vg…