A new crackdown on online scam centers by Thailand, Myanmar, and China has led to over 7,000 people from around the world being held in a Myanmar border town awaiting repatriation. These individuals were lured under false pretenses to work in scam centers in Myanmar, exploiting people globally through scams like false romances, bogus investments, and illegal gambling. The unprecedented number of individuals is straining the resources of Thailand and leading to delays.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s visit to Beijing prompted the crackdown after promising to act against scam networks that have ensnared hundreds of thousands of people. As part of the crackdown, Thailand has cut off essential supplies like electricity, internet, and gas to areas in Myanmar hosting scam centers. The situation has raised fears of a possible humanitarian crisis, leading to discussions between Thailand, Myanmar, and China to establish repatriation guidelines.
Amy Miller, of Acts of Mercy International, stated that this release of potential trafficking victims is unprecedented and overwhelming for Thai authorities. Logistical issues such as verifying identities have complicated and slowed down efforts to repatriate these individuals. Over half of the 7,000 individuals waiting are Chinese, with the rest coming from a mix of countries. China has chartered flights to repatriate its citizens, with over 600 already returned in just four days. Thailand is allowing Beijing to handle most processing of Chinese citizens returning to China.
Overall, the situation underscores the need for a global response to combat these scam centers and ensure the safe repatriation of individuals who have been trafficked. Concerns about the handling of the situation by Myanmar authorities have also been raised, prompting a coordinated effort among the involved countries to address the challenges posed by the crackdown.
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