Missing in Thailand: Taiwanese woman suspected to be trafficked

[snoop1130]

 

A Taiwanese woman’s dream trip to Thailand turned into a nightmare as her father reports a chilling ransom demand for her safe return. Police are now urgently investigating a suspected human trafficking case involving a young woman from Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan in her twenties, who vanished after arriving in Thailand on Wednesday, November 6.

 

The case came to light when a man from the nearby island of Pingtung, identified as Chen, informed police that his daughter, last known to be travelling in Thailand, had gone silent.

 

Chen told police that he hadn’t heard from his daughter in nearly a week, adding that he received a harrowing message demanding ransom. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office and the foreign ministry were immediately alerted to the case, sparking a joint investigation.

 

According to reports from CNA, the foreign ministry has since enlisted the help of its representative office in Myanmar, where there has been a surge in Taiwanese victims allegedly lured by fraudulent schemes operating out of Myanmar and Thailand.

 

 

In a public statement, the ministry cautioned Taiwanese citizens about the growing risks in the region.

 

“There have been many suspected cases of Taiwanese being taken by fraud groups from Myanmar after entering Thailand.”

 

Further unsettling details emerged after the missing woman’s father told LTN that his daughter had been tricked into travelling by a friend who offered to cover her expenses. Police have since confirmed her arrival in Bangkok on November 6 and are investigating witness reports claiming she was forced into a vehicle shortly after landing, reported Taiwan News.

 

As the search intensifies, officials are reminding Taiwanese citizens to exercise caution and consider potential risks before travelling to Southeast Asia.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of Explore Koh Chang

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-11-14

 

 

[Lorry]

Not only Taiwanese 

 

https://www.usip.org/publications/2024/05/transnational-crime-southeast-asia-growing-threat-global-peace-and-security

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Further unsettling details emerged after the missing woman’s father told LTN that his daughter had been tricked into travelling by a friend who offered to cover her expenses. Police have since confirmed her arrival in Bangkok on November 6 and are investigating witness reports claiming she was forced into a vehicle shortly after landing

That is worrying.... Thailand needs to step up if this is becoming a trend here.

[oustaristocrats]

On 11/14/2024 at 10:22 AM, snoop1130 said:

 

A Taiwanese woman’s dream trip to Thailand turned into a nightmare as her father reports a chilling ransom demand for her safe return. Police are now urgently investigating a suspected human trafficking case involving a young woman from Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan in her twenties, who vanished after arriving in Thailand on Wednesday, November 6.

 

The case came to light when a man from the nearby island of Pingtung, identified as Chen, informed police that his daughter, last known to be travelling in Thailand, had gone silent.

 

Chen told police that he hadn’t heard from his daughter in nearly a week, adding that he received a harrowing message demanding ransom. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office and the foreign ministry were immediately alerted to the case, sparking a joint investigation.

 

According to reports from CNA, the foreign ministry has since enlisted the help of its representative office in Myanmar, where there has been a surge in Taiwanese victims allegedly lured by fraudulent schemes operating out of Myanmar and Thailand.

 

 

 

In a public statement, the ministry cautioned Taiwanese citizens about the growing risks in the region.

 

“There have been many suspected cases of Taiwanese being taken by fraud groups from Myanmar after entering Thailand.”

 

Further unsettling details emerged after the missing woman’s father told LTN that his daughter had been tricked into travelling by a friend who offered to cover her expenses. Police have since confirmed her arrival in Bangkok on November 6 and are investigating witness reports claiming she was forced into a vehicle shortly after landing, reported Taiwan News.

 

As the search intensifies, officials are reminding Taiwanese citizens to exercise caution and consider potential risks before travelling to Southeast Asia.

 

By Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of Explore Koh Chang

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-11-14

 

 

 

 

" ... lured by fraudulent schemes.."

What kind of schemes ? Promising what ?

It is missing in the report. Taiwan is a modern, developed country. What these women can gain by going to Thailand or Myanmar under conditions which are not clear upfront ?  

[Lorry]

6 hours ago, oustaristocrats said:

 

 

" ... lured by fraudulent schemes.."

What kind of schemes ? Promising what ?

It is missing in the report. Taiwan is a modern, developed country. What these women can gain by going to Thailand or Myanmar under conditions which are not clear upfront ?  

Job offers.

Good jobs, supposedly in Thailand,  Malaysia or Cambodia. 

Salaries double of a beginner's salary in Taiwan (which are extremely low,  not much more than in Thailand).

They kidnap not only women, also men.

[metisdead]

Posts and the replies using profane language in violation of  these rules have been removed:

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[Lorry]

Editorial in the Bangkok Post: 

 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2907696/mae-sots-sour-trafficking-record

 

Victims from 60 countries.

 

According to victims, they are swept through immigration at Bangkok's international airports and driven through border checkpoints to Mae Sot without issue. Some are even flown directly to Mae Sot. Undeniably, local corruption is involved.

Once in Myawaddy, the victims are imprisoned, their phones confiscated, they are forced into debt bondage, and are forced to scam people worldwide. Those who refuse or fail to meet quotas face torture, including beatings, electrocution, and other abuse. They must pay a ransom if they want to be released.

 

Thailand cannot ignore its responsibility to take legal action against crimes happening within its borders -- especially against corrupt officials and those involved in money laundering. Additionally, the government must address the telecommunications infrastructure enabling these online call centres.

Who  might provide this "telecommunications infrastructure"? (Hundreds of thousands of SIM cards, base stations with masts,  power...)

I asked Somchai, the guy who sells mobiles and SIM cards in front of our condo.  He says it wasn't him.