There has been a spike in cases of people enslaved in cyber scams, and more than 1,000 victims have been rescued just in recent days. Lured by social media posts promising well-paid jobs in countries like Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, thousands of people have become trapped in cyber scam operations, in some cases held captive and forced to defraud strangers online. Issuing the first declaration by ASEAN on the danger of traffickers' cyber scams, the leaders noted "the increasing abuse of technology in facilitating trafficking in persons in Southeast Asia and globally, proliferated through the use and abuse of social media and other online platforms". Meeting in Indonesia for a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the leaders called for a regional approach to combat human trafficking. Online scams operated by human traffickers to prey on vulnerable job seekers, particularly in the poorest countries of the region. In addition, six journalists and three columnists from elPeriodico are being investigated in a parallel processes.LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia, May 10 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian leaders pledged on Wednesday to crack down on Zamora's trial, which began this month, has prompted the arrest of four of his defense lawyers.
Zamora's trial, which has been condemned by various human rights organizations, could end up being a "breaking point" for press freedom in Guatemala, said Juan Pappier, acting deputy director for the Americas at Human Rights Watch. The prosecutor's office denies these accusations. Zamora, 66, has repeatedly described his arrest as "political persecution" amid the paper's spotlight on alleged cases of corruption by President Alejandro Giammattei's government. The outlet was created in 1996 by Zamora and was directed for 17 years by the journalist Juan Luis Font, now in exile. "The persecution has intensified, as has the harassment of our advertisers," they added. "With deep sadness, we are forced to stop the daily edition of elPeriodico," the directors said in a statement.
Zamora's arrest came amid a crackdown on prosecutors, judges, human rights activists, journalists and opposition officials. Known for its investigative reporting for nearly three decades, elPeriodico laid off 80% of its staff in November and stopped printing, going entirely digital following Zamora's arrest on charges of money laundering and influence peddling. GUATEMALA CITY, May 12 (Reuters) - One of Guatemala's most recognized news outlets and a staunch government critic elPeriodico said on Friday that it will completely shut down operations as of Monday, 10 months after the arrest of its founder and president, Jose Zamora.
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