Penang, Malaysia - We traveled to Cambodia planning to tell the story of an escape from modern-day slave labor but what we found were tales of more women trapped in debt-bondage in Malaysia.

In Cambodia, we found the women who had escaped, but we also learned about dozens of other workers stuck in similar circumstances, unable to get home unless they paid off their "debt" to a recruitment agency.

One mother, who we can't name because of her fear of retribution, explained how she had already sold her small landholding to free one daughter from this terrible situation.

She was now desperate to free her youngest daughter, age 22, who we've called Chanary to protect her identity.

We approached the agency, which had recruited both Chanary and the other women, and after initially inviting us into their compound for an interview, we suddenly found we'd been locked in. I was genuinely worried for our safety.

The owner, Ung Rithy, has powerful contacts with the police and government.

By the time Ung Rithy arrived we'd managed to persuade her staff to unlock the gates and we were waiting out on the street.

But Ung Rithy immediately ordered her staff to grab our equipment. She lunged for our camera and a tussle ensued. We managed to break free with our video and left. Rithy later offered an interview, then changed her mind, referring us to the Ministry of Labor. It was clear the company didn't appreciate the spotlight being shone on the business.

And that's because their business seems to follow some very questionable and unethical practices.