Julian Morgans

Maybe this story already sounds familiar. Like Q, Cataleya was just trying to get on track. She was educated, but she couldn't get a job in her field. And she was grieving the death of her dad. And this, it kind of made her vulnerable in ways that she didn't realize. And it all started when she met a friend working at a call center. And we're going to call this woman Vale.

Maybe this story already sounds familiar. Like Q, Cataleya was just trying to get on track. She was educated, but she couldn't get a job in her field. And she was grieving the death of her dad. And this, it kind of made her vulnerable in ways that she didn't realize. And it all started when she met a friend working at a call center. And we're going to call this woman Vale.

Actually, I should point out that Cataleya, it's also a pseudonym. Our guest, she still fears for her safety. So she asked if we could blur her face and change her name.

Actually, I should point out that Cataleya, it's also a pseudonym. Our guest, she still fears for her safety. So she asked if we could blur her face and change her name.

So it's a pretty good deal, right? This guy is saying to Catalina, hey, come to Thailand, shoot a video of me proposing to my girlfriend and I'll pay for all the flights and accommodation.

So it's a pretty good deal, right? This guy is saying to Catalina, hey, come to Thailand, shoot a video of me proposing to my girlfriend and I'll pay for all the flights and accommodation.

But when Kadalaya got to the airport, she knew something was off. Her friends had arrived with huge suitcases full of clothing, despite the fact that they were only going for a three-day trip. But Kadalaya, she just kind of brushed it off. And it wasn't until they got to Bangkok that things really got weird.

But when Kadalaya got to the airport, she knew something was off. Her friends had arrived with huge suitcases full of clothing, despite the fact that they were only going for a three-day trip. But Kadalaya, she just kind of brushed it off. And it wasn't until they got to Bangkok that things really got weird.

So Cataleya goes to this other hotel. They arrive at night, and the next day her friends say they're getting some private couple time. So Cataleya, she hangs out at the hotel, alone. She's got no money, so she feels a bit trapped. And then finally, towards evening, her friends call her and they say, hey, we're going to pick you up in half an hour.

So Cataleya goes to this other hotel. They arrive at night, and the next day her friends say they're getting some private couple time. So Cataleya, she hangs out at the hotel, alone. She's got no money, so she feels a bit trapped. And then finally, towards evening, her friends call her and they say, hey, we're going to pick you up in half an hour.

And I just want to highlight here that Katalia, she wasn't completely naive to the dangers that she was in. The existence of the scamming industry, it's common knowledge in the Philippines. They call it POGO. And one of the reasons that scammer farms first appeared in Myanmar is that lots of the operators got flushed out of the Philippines where they'd been operating originally.

And I just want to highlight here that Katalia, she wasn't completely naive to the dangers that she was in. The existence of the scamming industry, it's common knowledge in the Philippines. They call it POGO. And one of the reasons that scammer farms first appeared in Myanmar is that lots of the operators got flushed out of the Philippines where they'd been operating originally.

We're going to look at the history of Scammer Farms later in this series, but for the moment, Katalia, she called her mom just before the friends arrived at the hotel, just to let her know what was happening. Also, her mom was looking after Katalia's young son, who's only nine, so she wanted a chance to say hello, and after the phone call...

We're going to look at the history of Scammer Farms later in this series, but for the moment, Katalia, she called her mom just before the friends arrived at the hotel, just to let her know what was happening. Also, her mom was looking after Katalia's young son, who's only nine, so she wanted a chance to say hello, and after the phone call...

catalia went downstairs to the reception area where her friends rolled up in a minivan and then catalia opened the door and she found an older thai man driving and her two friends were in the back seats and they and they kind of beckoned her in and they told her they're headed to meet a wedding planner and catalia she reluctantly climbed in but the mood was heavy no one wanted to talk

catalia went downstairs to the reception area where her friends rolled up in a minivan and then catalia opened the door and she found an older thai man driving and her two friends were in the back seats and they and they kind of beckoned her in and they told her they're headed to meet a wedding planner and catalia she reluctantly climbed in but the mood was heavy no one wanted to talk

And just like Q, Katalia got worried when they drove out of Bangkok and were on the road for hours.

And just like Q, Katalia got worried when they drove out of Bangkok and were on the road for hours.

Finally, they pulled into a service station to take a break, and everyone went to the toilet except for Katalia, who slipped inside to buy a SIM card. And it was kind of tense because she could see the others return from the bathrooms while she was still inside fumbling around trying to get her SIM card to work.

Finally, they pulled into a service station to take a break, and everyone went to the toilet except for Katalia, who slipped inside to buy a SIM card. And it was kind of tense because she could see the others return from the bathrooms while she was still inside fumbling around trying to get her SIM card to work.