More than 250 foreign nationals trapped in telecom fraud centres in Myanmar’s Karen State have been freed and brought to Thailand, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against human trafficking and online scams. The individuals, representing 20 different nationalities, were received by the Thai army and are undergoing assessments to determine whether they were trafficked or coerced into illegal activities.
The release comes amid intensified efforts by the Thai government to dismantle the vast network of cybercrime operations along the Thai-Myanmar border. Just last week, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and vowed to take decisive action against these centres, which have been exploiting workers and defrauding victims worldwide.
To curb these illegal operations, Thailand has tightened banking and visa regulations, while also cutting off electricity and fuel supplies to the border regions where scam centres thrive. Opposition MPs in Thailand had been pushing for such measures for two years, citing increasing reports of forced labour and financial crimes originating from Myanmar-based syndicates.
The individuals lured into these scam operations often believe they are being recruited for legitimate jobs, usually in Thailand, only to find themselves forced to engage in cyber fraud schemes in Myanmar. Those with language skills in English and Chinese are particularly targeted, as they are used to deceive victims in online scams, including romance fraud (“pig butchering”), cryptocurrency scams, money laundering, and illegal gambling. Some workers remain willingly, but many are held against their will, with families required to pay ransoms for their release. Survivors have recounted harrowing experiences of torture and abuse within these compounds.
The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), an ethnic armed group controlling parts of Karen State, facilitated the release of the 260 workers, signaling a potential shift in its stance under pressure from Thailand and China. The DKBA, along with other armed factions, has long been accused of providing protection for scam operators in exchange for financial incentives.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation has issued arrest warrants for three commanders of another Karen armed group, including warlord Saw Chit Thu, who collaborated with a Chinese firm in 2017 to build Shwe Kokko, a city allegedly funded by scam profits. While the developers claim the city is now scam-free, local sources suggest otherwise.
As authorities continue their crackdown, this mass rescue operation serves as a reminder of the urgent need for cross-border cooperation in tackling human trafficking and cyber fraud in the region.
