Over 1,000 Individuals Rescued from Cyber Scam Centres Near Thailand

Over 1,000 individuals were rescued from cyber scam centres near Thailand, with efforts concentrated on repatriating foreign nationals, primarily from India, China, and East Africa. This initiative is part of a crackdown on human trafficking, involving authorities in both Myanmar and Thailand to dismantle these illegal operations.

The military government of Myanmar has announced that over 1,000 individuals were rescued from cyber scam centres located near Thailand. This effort, which took place over the past three weeks, involved the recovery of approximately 1,030 foreign nationals, primarily trafficked into illegal work within these centres.

Authorities have already repatriated 61 victims to their home countries, while the remaining individuals will be returned following verification of their personal details. Reports indicate that the majority of those rescued are from Asian nations, including India and China, with some also hailing from East Africa.

This operation is a part of a broader initiative aimed at combating human trafficking and cyber crime. The United Nations has reported that criminal organizations involved in these scams are generating significant revenue and operate extensively throughout Southeast Asia, particularly along the Thailand-Myanmar border.

Thailand has intensified its efforts against these criminal networks following the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing in January. He was lured to the region with the false promise of an acting opportunity and was located and freed by Thai authorities shortly after his disappearance.

In a decisive move, Bangkok has restricted electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to five Myanmar border areas to disrupt the operations of these scam centres. Additionally, Thailand’s military revealed it received 260 human trafficking victims from Myanmar recently, with a significant portion stemming from Ethiopia, indicating the international nature of this human crisis.

In conclusion, the rescue of over 1,000 individuals from cyber scam centres highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. The collaborative efforts of Myanmar and Thailand are pivotal in combating these networks. Continued vigilance and international cooperation are essential to addressing the underlying mechanisms of exploitation that fuel these criminal activities.

Original Source: news.sky.com