Urgent Warning: Tens of Thousands Trapped in Illegal Scam Hideouts in Myanmar, Says Thai Police General

Tens of thousands of people might be trapped in illegal scam centers in Myanmar, especially near the Thai border. Thailand’s anti-trafficking chief, Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, warns that getting everyone home could take months.

Thailand has recently ramped up efforts to shut down these scam operations. They have cut off electricity and fuel supplies to these places. Thatchai suspects that around 30 to 40 Chinese criminal gangs are behind these centers. It’s estimated that over 10,000 people are held in these compounds, with numbers possibly reaching 100,000. Many of the victims are Chinese, but workers from more than 30 different countries have been reported.

The border between Thailand and Myanmar is not very secure, making it easy for people—especially refugees from Myanmar’s civil conflict since 2021—to cross. Some criminals also exploit this weakness to travel to and from the scam centers.

Recently, Chinese workers were seen being transported back across the border. Additional flights were arranged to take more Chinese nationals home. Last week, an armed group in Myanmar released 260 scam center workers from various countries, including the Philippines and Brazil. Thai officials are coordinating the transfer process but will not retrieve victims directly from inside Myanmar.

The Karen Border Guard Force, aligned with Myanmar’s governing body, indicated they would deport about 10,000 people connected to these compounds.

The United Nations has reported that hundreds of thousands of people have been lured into these schemes, often under the pretense of legitimate office jobs. Once there, many are forced to work on online scams that target victims worldwide. Research shows these scams can generate nearly $64 billion annually, with a large chunk coming from Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.

Some who have recently escaped these compounds shared harrowing stories of abuse, showing visible signs of mistreatment. However, Thatchai cautions that not everyone in these scams is a victim. He noted some individuals willingly participate in the scams for financial gain. Others, however, face threats and violence if they try to leave.

As the repatriation proceeds, officials will screen returning workers in Thailand to determine who is a true victim and who was involved willingly. Many of the Chinese nationals will be screened upon returning to China.

The crackdown escalated following the high-profile case of a Chinese actor, Wang Xing. He was abducted after traveling to Thailand for what he thought was a casting call, only to be taken to a scam center. His girlfriend’s social media appeal for help brought significant attention to the human trafficking issues in the area.

Efforts to cut off resources from these scam centers have been ongoing, with Thailand halting power and internet access to known locations. However, some operations still manage to continue, albeit at reduced capacity.

China is also involved, sharing names of its nationals linked to these scams. As this complicated situation unfolds, Thailand faces significant challenges in housing and managing the repatriation of numerous foreign nationals, especially since some countries have yet to confirm their support for those returning home.

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