More than 1,000 individuals who fell victim to cyber scam operations in Myanmar are set to be repatriated, as announced by the military government of Myanmar. This initiative comes after the authorities rescued approximately 1,030 foreign nationals from various scam centers over the past three weeks, highlighting a significant crackdown on human trafficking and illegal work in the region.
The State Administration Council, which governs Myanmar, reported on Monday that they have already facilitated the return of 61 people to their respective countries. The remaining victims will be sent back once their identities are confirmed. Many of those rescued are from Asian countries, notably India and China, while others hail from East Africa, according to reports from the government’s information ministry.
This rescue operation is part of a broader effort to combat the rampant cyber scams that have plagued Southeast Asia, particularly along the border between Thailand and Myanmar. Criminal gangs operating in this region have been known to traffic hundreds of thousands of individuals, forcing them into fraudulent activities that generate billions of dollars annually. The United Nations has raised alarms about the scale of this issue, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to tackle these criminal networks.
The urgency of addressing these scams has been underscored by recent incidents, including the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was lured to Thailand with false promises of acting opportunities. His subsequent rescue by Thai police in Myanmar has prompted both Thai and Myanmar authorities to intensify their efforts against these criminal enterprises. Earlier this month, Thailand took decisive action by cutting off electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to five border areas in Myanmar, aiming to disrupt the operations of these scam centers.
In a related development, the Thai army reported that they received 260 human trafficking victims from Myanmar last week, with a significant number of these individuals originating from Ethiopia. The army confirmed that after thorough screening, the victims represented 20 different nationalities, underscoring the international dimension of this crisis.
As these rescue efforts continue, the plight of those affected by cyber scams remains a pressing issue, drawing attention to the need for stronger protective measures and international collaboration to combat human trafficking and exploitation in the region.