Brazil's Federal Police (PF), the national law-enforcement agency that handles cross-border crimes, carried out an operation this week against an alleged human-trafficking network that sent Brazilians to scam compounds in Southeast Asia.
The operation, called Operation Mekong, included a search-and-seizure warrant at a property in São José dos Campos, a city in the interior of São Paulo state, on Tuesday, July 14. The case was reported by Folha de S.Paulo and is based on single-source reporting from that outlet.
What Police Allege
According to the Federal Police, investigators targeted a recruitment structure that allegedly lured Brazilians with false promises of high-paying jobs and paid travel expenses. Once abroad, victims allegedly had their passports taken, their freedom restricted and were subjected to physical punishment.
The suspected destination was a network of fraud centers in Southeast Asia, including areas near the Cambodia-Vietnam border. Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar have appeared in international anti-trafficking reporting as destinations where victims are forced to work in online fraud operations.
Operation Mekong was named after the Mekong River, which runs through the region and crosses Cambodia and Vietnam. The police action followed a note from Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcing the repatriation of Brazilians who had been working in a city on the Cambodia-Vietnam border.
Two Suspects
Police also obtained an arrest warrant for one 29-year-old suspect. Folha reported that his name was included on an Interpol list because he has been in Cambodia since last year.
A second 29-year-old suspect was placed under court-ordered restrictions. The measures include a ban on leaving Brazil, the surrender of his passport, a duty to appear in court and a ban on leaving São José dos Campos for more than five days without judicial authorization.
The Federal Police said the suspects will answer for international human trafficking under Article 149-A of Brazil's Penal Code. The agency said the alleged removal of victims from Brazilian territory could increase the penalty, which may reach 12 years in prison.
Why the Case Matters
The operation came days after Brazil published its National Report on Human Trafficking. The Justice and Public Security Ministry report said Cambodia was the main destination for Brazilian trafficking victims in 2025, accounting for 44 of 84 recorded victims that year.
The same report said the total number of Brazilian trafficking victims rose 33% from the previous year. It also found that trafficking for sexual exploitation had become the leading motive in cases investigated by the Federal Police, surpassing forced labor.
International organizations that work against human trafficking say official figures usually undercount the problem. Many cases reach authorities only after victims find a way to ask for help.
Brazil opened an embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, in August 2025 in response to the rise in cases. Before that, cases involving Cambodia were handled by Brazil's embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.