Joseph Isangura
Thailand has stepped up efforts to dismantle scam compounds operating near its border with Myanmar, where thousands of people have been lured under false pretenses and forced into online fraud.
Authorities believe that between 30,000 and 100,000 individuals many of them foreign nationals are trapped in these illegal operations.
Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, head of Thailand’s Anti-Human Trafficking Center, said that criminal syndicates, largely run by international networks, are behind the scam compounds. Many victims are recruited with promises of high-paying jobs but are instead forced to commit financial fraud under harsh conditions.
Recent rescues have revealed disturbing accounts of abuse, with survivors describing physical torture, including beatings and electrocution. Authorities are now working to identify and repatriate those who were trafficked.
Thailand shares a long, porous border with Myanmar, where conflict and lawlessness have created a haven for criminal activities. Over the past few weeks, Thai officials have taken decisive action by cutting off electricity and fuel supplies to suspected scam centers.
This strategy aims to disrupt operations and pressure those running the compounds to release captives. Some victims have already been transferred to Thai territory, where they are being screened to determine whether they were coerced into criminal activity.
Myanmar authorities have also made moves to tackle the crisis. Recently, a local armed group handed over 260 workers from various countries, including Thailand, Nepal, the Philippines, Brazil, and Ethiopia.
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Meanwhile, Myanmar’s Karen Border Guard Force, which controls areas where many of these operations exist, has announced plans to deport 10,000 individuals linked to the scam networks.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that scam compounds across Southeast Asia generate billions of dollars annually, with major hubs in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. These operations primarily target victims worldwide through online fraud schemes, including investment scams and romance scams.
Authorities say shutting down the networks is a long-term challenge. Criminal groups continue to find new ways to recruit and control workers, making it difficult to completely eliminate the industry. However, the recent crackdown sends a strong message that law enforcement is determined to combat human trafficking and cyber fraud
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