S'porean woman, 20, says move to Cambodia was her own choice, denies being scammed or forced

A 20-year-old Singaporean woman who was recently reported missing in Cambodia has addressed the public through a video statement, saying that she travelled to Cambodia of her own free will and that she had not been scammed or forced.

The video statement was released on Aug. 1 by Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief Chuon Naron, The Khmer Times reported.

Addressing both local and international media, Siti Aishah Siregar Sahat Siregar said she wanted to clarify some things about her travel to Cambodia.

Stressful living conditions

Aishah said that she had been experiencing stressful living conditions while in Singapore and wanted to find her own path.

“That’s why on the 20th of July, I decided to leave on my own and come to Cambodia to work as an English teacher,” she said.

Aishah added that the decision to go to Cambodia was "entirely [her] choice" and said she was not forced or scammed.

“I have not been forced to come here. I have not been scammed into coming here. It is entirely up to my own decisions and my own concerns about it,” she said.

She also said she has not been involved in or forced to partake in any scamming activities or any criminal activities.

Cambodian police found her

The video statement comes a day after she was found by Cambodian police.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak earlier shared on his Telegram channel on Jul. 31 that Aishah told officials she had travelled to Cambodia while under emotional distress.

She had switched off her phone to avoid being contacted by her guardians.

According to her, no criminal activity, including unlawful detention or kidnapping, had taken place.

She had arranged her accommodation through a Cambodian property agent before her arrival and was met at the airport by a local friend she'd made through online gaming, reported The Khmer Times.