A 20-year-old Singaporean woman was suspected missing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Her family not only reported the case to the Singapore police, but her father also posted appeals on social media day after day, urging authorities from both Singapore and Cambodia to assist in the search, and called on the public to spread the word and provide any leads.
The Singapore Police Force reported on the evening of the 31st that the missing woman had been safely located by Cambodian National Police. Cambodian Ministry of Interior spokesman Touch Sokhak confirmed to Khmer-China Times on the evening of the 31st that the woman named Aisha was found in Phnom Penh and confirmed to be safe.
According to Khmer-China Times, Cambodian police confirmed after investigation that Aisha left home and traveled to Cambodia on her own because of strict family discipline and high pressure, intending to look for an English teaching job. Police ruled out the possibility of human trafficking or fraud.
Police indicated that Aisha arrived at Phnom Penh International Airport on July 28. Prior to this, she had already booked a Phnom Penh apartment on July 18. After arriving at the airport, a Cambodian male friend picked her up and brought her to the apartment. The two had met online through gaming in 2024, and the man is currently a university student.
Aisha told police that her parents were very strict, and she was worried her family would disapprove of her trip to Cambodia, so she did not seek their consent in advance, but did leave a letter at home before leaving. She also confirmed that after arriving in Phnom Penh, she was not detained, abused, or threatened by anyone.
Based on a comprehensive investigation, the police concluded that Aisha's departure from home was mainly due to family pressure and was completely of her own volition, with her sole purpose being to find a job. There was no evidence of deception, coercion, or any involvement in human trafficking.
Aisha's father had been posting on multiple social media platforms continuously since July 30, saying that his daughter went to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, on the 28th, but the family had lost contact with her since the 30th. "Our whole family is extremely worried; every minute feels like a year."
In his posts, he appealed for help from both Singapore and Cambodian authorities, hoping that his daughter could be found as soon as possible. He worried that the longer it took, the harder it would be to bring his daughter home safely.