Over 5,300 Victims Remain Inside Myanmar Scam Centers
A human rights organization has raised concerns that more than 5,300 people are still being held inside online scam compounds located near Myanmar’s border with Thailand. The warning comes more than a year after regional authorities launched operations that rescued thousands from similar facilities.
According to the group, many of those trapped are foreign nationals confined in four compounds situated in territory controlled by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), an armed militia operating in Myanmar.
Victims Come From Multiple Countries
The organization estimates that around 1,600 Chinese nationals are among those being held, along with approximately 200 Myanmar citizens and about 20 Thai nationals. Other victims reportedly come from countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, Brazil, Russia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Taiwan.
The rights group has appealed to Thai police to intensify efforts and coordinate action to help free those still trapped inside the compounds.
Scam Operations Continue Despite Earlier Crackdown
Online scam centers across Southeast Asia have become major hubs for cyber fraud, generating billions of dollars every year. Criminal networks often lure people with promises of well-paying jobs before forcing them into fraudulent operations under harsh and abusive conditions.
Thailand led a multinational effort last year that resulted in the rescue of roughly 5,000 individuals from large scam hubs around Myanmar’s Myawaddy region. However, rights activists say large-scale operations remain active and continue to exploit victims from across the world.
Authorities and militia representatives had not publicly responded to the latest concerns at the time of reporting.
