PHNOM PENH / TOA PAYOH — A Singaporean man who travelled to Cambodia hoping for "a career with unlimited earning potential" has returned home with neither money nor dignity after being fired by a scam syndicate just three days into the job for "consistently underperforming expectations."
According to court documents, the 32-year-old recruit was dismissed after repeatedly failing to convince victims to transfer money, with supervisors reportedly describing him as "too polite", "not convincing enough", and "always saying sorry after lying."
Internal performance reviews allegedly showed he managed to scam exactly zero people.
"He kept reminding victims to double-check with their bank," sighed one exasperated syndicate manager. "At one point he even told an elderly woman to call her grandson first. Brother, whose side are you on?"
Sources inside the compound said new recruits were expected to generate at least US$10,000 in fraudulent transfers within their first week.
"He only managed to generate questions," said another manager. "Victims kept asking if this was a scam."
The syndicate eventually decided to terminate his employment, escorting him to the gate with a plastic bag containing his belongings and a photocopy of a Performance Improvement Plan.
His exit interview reportedly lasted longer than his entire criminal career.
Back in Singapore, however, the worst was yet to come.
Upon reaching his mother's flat in Toa Payoh, the man was immediately subjected to what neighbours described as "a level of verbal disciplinary action normally reserved for failing PSLE."
"I ask you study properly you don't want!" shouted his mother from the corridor, loud enough for residents on the next block to hear.
"People go Cambodia become manager, you go Cambodia become unemployed! Even scammers don't want you! How useless can you be?"
Witnesses said the lecture lasted 47 minutes without interruption, during which the man attempted to explain that organised crime had "very demanding KPIs."
His mother was unmoved.
"KPI? You know what's your KPI now? Find proper job!"
She later told reporters she wasn't angry that her son had joined a scam syndicate.
"I angry because he still fail."
Singapore Police reminded the public that participation in overseas scam operations is a serious criminal offence regardless of whether the individual was successful.
At press time, LinkedIn users had already begun sharing the story under the caption, "What getting fired by an international scam syndicate taught me about resilience."