Enquête exclusive : mercenaire en Thaïlande, il vit dangereusement.

This episode features an anonymous guest, referred to as "Jean," a former military member of the French Foreign Legion who worked in call centers in Cambodia. These call centers are criminal enterprises managed by Chinese and Taiwanese mafias, primarily located in border regions like Cambodia, Laos, and Burma. Originally, Burma was a hotspot, but due to civil war, operations shifted to Cambodia, and now increasingly to Laos, as China has tightened its grip on Cambodia. These operations involve extensive human trafficking and crime, generating billions of dollars. Jean was recruited through word-of-mouth contacts within a network of former military personnel in Asia. These jobs, typically as contractors or bodyguards, do not involve formal contracts and are paid in cryptocurrency, offering flexibility to leave or be dismissed. Salaries range from $3,000 to $5,000 per month, plus benefits like lodging, food, and a business visa for Cambodia. Jean’s role as a bodyguard for a call center boss involved travel to places like Taiwan and Thailand, often using Thailand as a transit point. These bosses are part of a hierarchical structure, with Jean’s immediate boss being a "lieutenant" in a larger organization. A single call center can generate millions, with some in Burma previously making billions. The call centers resemble small villages or military regiments, with different buildings housing various nationalities like Pakistanis, Indians, and Thais. They even keep exotic animals like white tigers and anacondas in cages, which are replaced without concern if they die. Workers in these call centers are recruited in two ways: some are lured by fake job advertisements, such as for IT positions paying $1,500 a month. Upon arrival, their passports are confiscated, and they are forced to work. Others, particularly Thais, are aware of the nature of the work but claim ignorance once difficulties arise. The primary nationalities involved are Indian and Pakistani due to their lower cost. While some workers are allowed phones, the mafia monitors their communications and financial activities. Punishments for minor transgressions are severe. Jean recalls a worker who took $50 from a scam and was tortured with a taser, specifically targeting his genitals, as an example to others. Although organ trafficking is threatened, Jean never witnessed it in Cambodia, though he heard it was prevalent in Burma. Salaries are subject to deductions for failed scams, but performance targets offer incentives like an iPhone 16 Pro Max for scamming $10,000 in a day. Workers are paid to prevent suicides and maintain motivation, but contracts are often short-term, and underperforming individuals are simply put on a bus and dropped at the border. Jean recounts the worst thing he witnessed: a Thai woman was forced to stand at attention in the sun for four days, for allegedly stealing $50 or $100. This psychological torture, without food or water, was a stark display of power. He also witnessed a mini-riot by Pakistani workers on his first day, sparked by a false rumor about the boss wanting to rape one of their girlfriends to prevent their departure. Military personnel, directly deployed by the Cambodian army and paid by the mafia, provide security for these centers. Jean’s boss, a Taiwanese mafioso, led a relatively mundane life in Cambodia, overseeing operations via security cameras and occasionally checking on managers. In Taiwan, he toured his legitimate businesses where he laundered money from the scams, investing it in various industries and properties. While Jean didn't form a deep personal bond with his boss, some colleagues had closer relationships, with bosses providing lavish perks like prostitutes and trips. These bosses often have multiple wives due to their immense wealth, with families sometimes visiting the scam centers. The scam centers are equipped with basic computers and soundproofed booths to create a calm illusion for calls. They employ sophisticated scams that constantly evolve. One effective scam involved crypto investments: a seemingly innocent WhatsApp contact would mistakenly message a target about a "Paris meeting" related to crypto investments, piquing their curiosity. The scammer would then guide the victim to a fake website, allowing them to withdraw a small profit initially to build trust, before demanding more funds for "VIP levels" that never materialize. Some victims lose up to €50,000 this way. While romance scams exist, they are less effective than investment scams promising high returns. AI is now being used for new scams, particularly for vehicle purchases, convincing victims to invest large sums. These operations are highly profitable, with two people capable of generating €20,000-€30,000 in a week. A center with 600-700 professional scammers working 8-10 hours a day, adapting to target time zones, can easily make millions. They receive training on-site. Jean’s eight-month mission involved travel between Cambodia, Thailand, and Taiwan, with the core work in Cambodia. Taiwan served as the hub for the "big bosses" and money laundering. The scams are global, not just targeting Thais. Advanced techniques include impersonating police officers to demand cash or gold from victims at their homes. Romance scams often involve fake foreign profiles, where victims fall in love and are then told they need to pay import taxes for expensive gifts, with local agents posing as customs officials to collect the money. Older, less tech-savvy individuals with accumulated wealth are particularly vulnerable. Jean considers his experience financially beneficial but mentally taxing due to the constant exposure to mistreatment and torture. He now avoids any work related to scam centers. He identifies as a "contractor" or "mercenary," working for money, but not without discretion, avoiding high-risk areas like Burma where colleagues faced execution. Many former military personnel, particularly from the French Foreign Legion, work as mercenaries, often found in places like Pattaya, Thailand. These individuals are drawn to the Legion for financial or personal reasons, not necessarily patriotism, and are trained to thrive in combat situations. They often seek adrenaline and lucrative opportunities after their military careers. Currently, drone training is the most lucrative mercenary skill, paying up to $15,000 per month for instructor roles, especially for those with combat experience from Ukraine. This has surpassed underwater welding in terms of pay. Jean recounts a near-death experience in Ukraine: his team was stationed in a building, and after an explosion from a mine being disarmed by a Russian soldier, Jean exposed himself at a window and was hit by a 40mm grenade. The grenade struck the window frame, saving his team. He sustained a neck injury, with shrapnel entering and exiting his neck, narrowly missing vital areas. In shock, he was evacuated by quad bike and transported to a military hospital. Witnessing other severely wounded soldiers, he decided to leave the hospital early to avoid losing his unpaid salary, signing a discharge. He doesn't regret his time in Ukraine, as it opened many opportunities, though it closed others, particularly in Africa due to the presence of Russian soldiers (Wagner, now Africa Corps). Jean is based in Thailand because he found it a country of freedom and kindness, though he plans to move on eventually, driven by a desire for adventure and new experiences, inspired by figures like Sisia Zike. He prioritizes living life fully while young, rather than waiting until old age. He intends to bring his current girlfriend with him, believing in fidelity and a "return of karma" for past indiscretions, which he believes was reflected in his injury in Ukraine. Looking to the future, Jean wishes for more money to build a comfortable life and good health. The interviewer expresses gratitude for Jean sharing his risky story and encourages viewers to subscribe, like, comment, and share.