Crackdown Fails to Free 100,000 From Myanmar's Illicit Scam Centre Operations

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Picture courtesy of Thai Army

 

In the wake of an extensive multinational crackdown, significant scam centres remain operative along the Thai-Myanmar border with up to 100,000 individuals thought to be entangled in their web, according to the leading Thai police general overseeing this regional effort.

 

Thailand is spearheading a strategic initiative to dismantle these illicit hubs, which the United Nations identifies as a significant component of Southeast Asia's sprawling illegal network, raking in billions annually. Many individuals are trafficked into these centres by organised gangs.

 

Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot of the Royal Thai Police highlighted that early evaluations of approximately 5,000 individuals rescued from scam dens in the Myawaddy area revealed that hundreds had entered of their own volition. However, careful scrutiny is vital to differentiate between the criminals and the victims among those liberated.

 

"Many exploit Thailand as a gateway into Myawaddy seeking work opportunities," Pol Gen Thatchai elaborated, indicating that individuals are drawn not only into scam call centres but also into online gambling and other illicit professions.

 

 

 

His insights challenge prevailing reports suggesting workers in these scam centres were forcibly lured rather than arriving consensually. Jason Tower, an expert from the US Institute of Peace, clarified that many who willingly ventured to Myawaddy were subsequently trapped in deceitful operations, creating a murky grey area between voluntary migration and human trafficking.

 

Some rescued individuals disclosed harrowing tales of coercion, being forced to defraud strangers by posing as romantic interests online, tricking them into transferring significant sums of money.

 

The region's scam hubs have long operated under the radar but were thrust into the spotlight after the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing from Thailand in January. Following his dramatic rescue from Myawaddy, there was an eruption of social media outrage in China, prompting Beijing to engage with Thai authorities, seeking the liberation of its citizens and disruption of these deceitful operations.

 

Despite these efforts, Pol Gen Thatchai reports that a comprehensive evaluation at the Mae Sot district checkpoints discovered no evidence of coercion among 3,600 foreigners between Thailand and Myawaddy since the Wang incident.

 

Additionally, a batch of 260 individuals from 20 countries, repatriated in February, were also found to have travelled voluntarily, though further data from China and India is awaited to confirm trafficking claims.

 

Even with these ongoing interventions, a colossal network still remains at large, potentially involving 50,000 to 100,000 individuals, Pol Gen Thatchai confirmed. This artisanal network continues to operate across a narrow stretch of the Moei River.

 

Since February, over 5,200 individuals have been extracted from these facilities, supported by efforts including cutting off utilities to the region. The primary objective of Thai authorities remains the coordination of repatriation and prosecution of criminals in cooperation with their home countries.

 

A strong call for a multinational cooperation centre has been made to streamline investigations and support victims, as former workers linger at the Thai-Myanmar border, often financially stranded. Pol Gen Thatchai underscored the urgency of expediting repatriations, enabling continued crackdowns by Myanmar authorities and ethnic armed factions, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-19