Thousands of Foreigners Trapped at Thai-Myanmar Border After Scam Busts

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: The Standard

 

Thousands of foreigners are stranded at the Thai-Myanmar border after a crackdown on scam centres operated by criminal gangs. This joint operation by authorities from China, Thailand, and Myanmar targeted illegal online operations, where victims were forced into online scams in unsanitary and often harrowing conditions.

 

Over recent weeks, efforts have increased to dismantle these centres along the border. Such operations are part of a wider criminal network across Southeast Asia.

 

According to the United Nations, these scams have trafficked hundreds of thousands of individuals, exploiting their vulnerabilities. In a recent raid, Thai and Cambodian police freed over 200 individuals from these illegal buildings. However, difficulties remain as thousands continue to be held by Myanmar’s armed groups.

 

Currently, the Karen National Army (KNA) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) are holding approximately 7,000 former scam workers. The authorities struggle to transfer them into Thailand due to complexities surrounding legal and diplomatic processes.

 

Another armed group, the Karen Border Guard Force, has detained about 6,500 foreigners following a crackdown on scam centres in Shwe Kokko and the Chinese-managed KK Park. Though they managed to deport 621 Chinese nationals, they have urged the Thai government to coordinate repatriation efforts for others.

 

Aid workers describe these people as being 'in limbo,' facing deteriorating conditions while awaiting rescue or repatriation. The prolonged waiting, they argue, constitutes further victimisation of already exploited individuals.

Despite calls for action, Thailand’s deputy prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, expressed that Thailand lacks the capacity to accommodate more displaced victims. This month, the country managed to take in 260 individuals, with the majority coming from countries lacking a direct diplomatic presence in Thailand, such as Ethiopia.

 

While Thailand facilitated flights for Chinese nationals, diplomatic coordination remains key in managing the crisis. Neighbouring countries and international partners are urged to step up and collaborate closely.

 

Public interest was piqued by the rescue of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was lured to Myanmar under false job promises and subsequently trapped in a scam centre. This case highlighted the growing issue, leading Southeast Asian countries to increase pressure on these illegal operations.

 

Efforts are ongoing, including cutting utilities to areas known for such activities. During the crackdown, financial losses suffered by victims in Thailand hit approximately 80 billion Thai Baht, according to police reports.

 

This massive figure underscores the pressing need for international cooperation in addressing these transnational crimes, ensuring victims' safe return, and preventing future trafficking, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-25

 

 

[watchcat]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

This massive figure underscores the pressing need for international cooperation in addressing these transnational crimes, ensuring victims' safe return, and preventing future trafficking, reported

 

Didn't Thaksin "the PM" announced a couple of weeks ago that he'll get rid of all these gangs within a couple of months?

[bamnutsak]

I was wondering why no one was calling me anymore.

[Tropicalevo]

No human rights for these poor souls eh Thailand?

Resign from the UNHRC - it is no place for members with double standards.

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite calls for action, Thailand’s deputy prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, expressed that Thailand lacks the capacity to accommodate more displaced victims.

 

[khunjeff]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand lacks the capacity to accommodate more displaced victims. This month, the country managed to take in 260 individuals

 

A country that is visited by 40 million people a year only has the capacity to take in 260 trafficking victims per month? Give me a break. 

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand facilitated flights for Chinese nationals

 

The Chinese government brought in Chinese planes to repatriate its nationals - Thailand's "facilitation" consisted of standing back and allowing the flights to proceed.

[TheFishman1]

If you have money in your pocket Tylen will welcome you if you don’t have money in your pocket or your refugee forget it they don’t care TIT

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Thousands of foreigners are stranded at the Thai-Myanmar border after a crackdown on scam centres operated by criminal gangs. This joint operation by authorities from China, Thailand, and Myanmar targeted illegal online operations, where victims were forced into online scams in unsanitary and often harrowing conditions.

Jeez.... the scams inseminating from there must've been enormous?

[Burma Bill]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Jeez.... the scams inseminating from there must've been enormous?

 

 

Yes, very much so but only the tip of the iceberg!

I wonder how many unfortunate people are being held against their will and forced to scam for mafia type gangs (especially the Chinese)  

 

Information from Google (ref to victims) -

 

According to a recent survey, around 1 in 5 people globally (21%) have been victims of fraud within the last couple of years, which translates to a significant number of potential scam victims worldwide, with estimates suggesting over 228 million individuals across 15 surveyed countries alone. 

[hotchilli]

35 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 

 

Yes, very much so but only the tip of the iceberg!

I wonder how many unfortunate people are being held against their will and forced to scam for mafia type gangs (especially the Chinese)  

 

Information from Google (ref to victims) -

 

According to a recent survey, around 1 in 5 people globally (21%) have been victims of fraud within the last couple of years, which translates to a significant number of potential scam victims worldwide, with estimates suggesting over 228 million individuals across 15 surveyed countries alone. 

If i get called by an unknown number I don't pick up.. just cut the call

if they rings again I do the same.

Should I ever get a text from the so called police/immigration or other official I would text back, come knock on my door.

[thesetat]

9 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Didn't Thaksin "the PM" announced a couple of weeks ago that he'll get rid of all these gangs within a couple of months?

getting rid of them did not include housing the thousands of workers for the scam centers.... 

[thesetat]

The biggest problem is that many many of those working for the scam centers are not victims and willingly went there to make money doing this. Just last week a girl friend of mine chose to go to work for a scam center in that country. Voluntarily. The housing conditions may be bad but they are not that bad. They share a room and can not leave except once a week and are limited to the amount of money they can bing with them for shopping. My friendd gave me some details about how they are treated. Working 12 hours a day. But she said the money is really good and a chance to save a lot. So, Thailand needs to wake up and investigate all of them to see who is actually a victim and who worked there willingly. 

[Burma Bill]

53 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

If i get called by an unknown number I don't pick up.. just cut the call

if they rings again I do the same.

Should I ever get a text from the so called police/immigration or other official I would text back, come knock on my door.

 

interesting - thanks.

In my case, I do not get scam phone calls as I do not have a smartphone, just an old 3G Nokia, However, I am inundated with scam posts on Facebook, all the usual rubbish regarding Bitcoin, Bargain sales, Property/Land investment, romance/dating sites and even job adverts for "tele-sales"! (scamming). I delete the lot.

[AustinRacing]

4 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

 

 

Yes, very much so but only the tip of the iceberg!

I wonder how many unfortunate people are being held against their will and forced to scam for mafia type gangs (especially the Chinese)  

 

Information from Google (ref to victims) -

 

According to a recent survey, around 1 in 5 people globally (21%) have been victims of fraud within the last couple of years, which translates to a significant number of potential scam victims worldwide, with estimates suggesting over 228 million individuals across 15 surveyed countries alone. 

Fair enough. There are victims there but I bet majority are willing participants.