BANGKOK (AP) — More than 1,000 Chinese nationals who had been working at online scam centres in eastern Myanmar began returning home on Thursday. These workers were rescued and brought across the border to Thailand before being placed on chartered flights to China.
Over the past month, Thailand, China, and Myanmar have been working together to shut down these scam centres, which have deceived people worldwide out of billions of dollars. Victims were lured through fake romantic relationships, fraudulent investment opportunities, and illegal gambling operations.
Hundreds of thousands of people from Southeast Asia and beyond are believed to have worked at these scam centres in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Many were tricked into taking jobs that turned out to be fraudulent operations, leaving them trapped in forced labour conditions.
Thai officials recently estimated that up to 10,000 people may be repatriated from Myanmar as part of the crackdown on these scam operations. The ongoing effort aims to dismantle networks that have exploited individuals and stolen money from unsuspecting victims around the globe.
So far, 16 flights have been scheduled for repatriation, with about four flights departing daily. These flights are carrying the Chinese nationals back to their home country, escorted by police. Given the large number of people involved—currently estimated at 1,041—Thailand has allowed Chinese authorities to oversee most of the processing and investigations once they arrive in China.
Authorities in the region are continuing their efforts to track down and dismantle other scam operations that remain active. The repatriation process marks a significant step in combating online fraud and human trafficking as governments work to bring justice to those responsible for exploiting thousands of workers.
Disclaimer: This article has been meticulously fact-checked by our team to ensure accuracy and uphold transparency. We strive to deliver trustworthy and dependable content to our readers.
