Fears grow for 500 foreigners trapped in Myanmar scam zone

Civil society groups have raised alarm over the fate of more than 500 foreign nationals held in compounds run by scam gangs in Myanmar’s Karen State, warning they may soon be sold to other operators unless urgent rescue efforts are launched.

The Civil Society Network for Human Trafficking Victims Assistance (CSNHTV) said victims are being detained by the Shengrui Group and other firms in the Tai Chang 1 area, controlled by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), opposite Thailand’s Tak province. Those seeking help include 18 Filipinos, at least 20 Taiwanese, 193 Chinese nationals and others from several countries.

Jay Kritiya, a coordinator for the network, said reports suggested the captives were about to be moved. “We are currently notifying all relevant local authorities, including administrative officials, military, and police, to urgently accelerate the rescue operation,” he said.

The warning comes amid ongoing crackdowns on Chinese-run scam compounds in Myawaddy township, where trafficked workers are forced into online fraud schemes. Despite thousands of deportations, many foreigners remain stranded and reliant on embassies and aid groups.

CSNHTV said it had contacted senior Thai police and UN officials to coordinate assistance, but noted that some companies in the area were refusing to release workers or halt operations.

Separately, Thai forces in Mae Sot reported the repatriation of three Russian and Nepali nationals via the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, with embassy officials arranging onward travel.

The plight of those trapped highlights the persistence of Myanmar’s scam industry, where criminal groups exploit conflict zones to run lucrative fraud operations. Campaigners say without swift intervention, hundreds more victims could disappear deeper into the networks.

-2026-05-07