Nearly 500 Indians Rescued from Myanmar Scam Centers: Thailand Crossover and India’s Plans for Safe Return

New Delhi: Nearly 500 Indians are stuck in Thailand after fleeing scam centers in Myanmar. The Indian government is collaborating with Thai officials to bring them home. They plan to arrange a flight for repatriation once legal procedures are complete.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed the situation, noting that these nationals are currently in Mae Sot, a town in western Thailand. He stated, “The Indian government will send a plane to take them back directly.” The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is actively working with the Thai authorities to assist their citizens.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized, “We are aware of the Indian nationals who have been detained.” He mentioned that these individuals crossed into Thailand from Myanmar recently. The embassy is verifying their identities to help facilitate their return.

Reports indicate that these nearly 500 Indians are part of a larger group of over 1,500 people from 28 countries who escaped from similar scam operations in Myanmar. These centers are notorious for transnational cyber crimes, forcing individuals into scams.

According to a recent UN report, many victims from various nations have been trafficked to these centers. The report highlights that these scam operations are not isolated to Myanmar; similar centers exist in Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Malaysia. These activities are often linked to extensive criminal networks that exploit vulnerable people worldwide.

Among those who fled to Thailand are victims and some who might have been complicit in the operations. Back in March, India successfully repatriated 549 nationals who had been rescued from cyber scam centers along the Myanmar-Thailand border.

This ongoing situation reflects a troubling trend in human trafficking and cybercrime. Awareness is crucial. Victims may come from diverse backgrounds, making it essential for governments to remain vigilant against such operations.

For more insights into global trafficking issues, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provides extensive resources.

Source link

MEA, SCAM CENTRES IN MYANMAR, THAI AUTHORITIES DETAINED INDIANS, RANDHIR JAISWAL, INDIAN CROSSED INTO THAILAND, NEARLY 500 INDIANS CROSS OVER TO THAILAND FROM MYANMAR AFTER RAID ON SCAM CENTRES