Over 260 Trafficking Victims Rescued from Myanmar Scam Center
Over 260 foreign nationals were rescued from online scam operations in Myanmar and handed to Thai authorities, marking a significant crackdown on human trafficking and cyber fraud. The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army executed the rescue on February 12. Reports highlight the extreme conditions victims endured, illuminating the ongoing pressures and international involvement in addressing these crimes.
In a significant operation, authorities have rescued over 260 foreign nationals from online scam operations based in Myanmar, transferring them to Thai authorities. This rescue is part of an intensified effort against human trafficking and cyber fraud along the border between Myanmar and Thailand. The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) conducted the rescue, delivering these victims on February 12, following their identification a day prior.
Major Saw San Aung, Chief of Staff for the DKBA, reported that the group’s forces focused their efforts on raiding casinos in Myawaddy District, Karen State, as part of an initiative to reclaim trafficked foreign workers. He mentioned, “On February 11, we identified 261 victims and transferred them to Thai authorities on February 12.”
A rescue worker, opting for anonymity out of security concerns, revealed the extreme conditions faced by the victims, who are often coerced into meeting high monthly financial targets under the threat of torture. They endured sleep deprivation and constant abuse, confined in dark cells.
The rescued individuals were transported by boat to Phop Phra in Thailand and subsequently placed in a secure facility. The incident highlights the ongoing pressures between Myanmar and China, intensified by the recent abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing, successfully rescued from a scam center in Myanmar.
China’s response included urging Thailand to address the scam networks, which has led to Thailand cutting off electricity and fuel supplies to Myanmar, heavily impacting areas governed by ethnic Karen armed groups. This handover of victims follows a previous transfer of 61 individuals, including 39 Chinese nationals, to Thai authorities by Myanmar’s junta and the Karen Border Guard Force.
Among the recent rescues, a significant number were from Africa, including 46 individuals from Ethiopia and 33 from Kenya. In addition, Myanmar’s military leadership has expressed commitment to combat illegal online gambling and scam operations in collaboration with the international community.
General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the military junta, indicated that many trafficking victims are deceived by misleading job offers in well-paying fields. “They were deceived by the prospect of high salaries and good working conditions,” he stated regarding the recruitment tactics used by the gangs.
Myawaddy, under the control of Karen armed groups, has become a notable center for scam syndicates. Reports from May 2022 indicate that 1,225 Chinese nationals, along with individuals from other countries, were trafficked into Shwe Kokko, another hotspot, and were coerced into online fraud operations under false pretenses.
The U.S. Institute of Peace has issued warnings about the considerable security threats posed by online scams originating from Southeast Asia, especially Myanmar, noting that American citizens lost a staggering $3.5 billion to such frauds in 2023. These scams often exploit U.S. residents using fake job applications and misleading high-tech job advertisements.
The recent rescue of 261 trafficking victims from a Myanmar scam center underscores the severe human trafficking issues within the region. The collaborative efforts between Myanmar’s insurgent groups and Thai authorities represent a critical response to escalating cyber fraud and human rights abuses. As international pressure mounts, particularly from China, it reflects the growing urgency to dismantle these exploitative networks and protect vulnerable populations targeted for trafficking.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
