Tens of thousands of individuals may be residing in illegal scam compounds in Myanmar, particularly near the border with Thailand, as reported by the head of Thailand’s anti-trafficking agency. He cautioned that it could take months to repatriate all foreign nationals. In recent weeks, Thailand has intensified its crackdown on these scam operations, severing cross-border electricity and fuel supplies. Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, director of the Anti-Human Trafficking Center, indicated that between 30 and 40 Chinese criminal gangs are believed to be operating these centers, with estimates suggesting that over 10,000 people could be trapped inside. He speculated that the number could range from 30,000 to as high as 100,000. Workers from more than 30 different nationalities have been identified, with a significant number hailing from China.
The porous border between Thailand and Myanmar, which has been embroiled in civil conflict since 2021, facilitates the movement of refugees and commuters. Insufficient enforcement has allowed criminals to frequently access the compounds located near the border. On Thursday, double-decker buses were seen transporting Chinese workers across the border, and four flights were scheduled to return Chinese nationals from Mae Sot.
Last week, an armed group in Myanmar released 260 workers from scam centers, representing a dozen countries, including the Philippines, Ethiopia, Brazil, Nepal, and Thailand. Thatchai stated that Thai officials would not retrieve the workers from within Myanmar but would meet them once they were transferred to Thailand. The Karen Border Guard Force, allied with the Myanmar junta and controlling areas where many scam centers are located, announced plans to deport 10,000 individuals associated with these compounds.
According to the UN, hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked into the region from around the world, often enticed by the promise of comfortable office jobs. Upon arrival, many are held against their will and coerced into participating in online scams targeting victims globally. Research from the US Institute of Peace estimated that these scams generate approximately $63.9 billion annually, with the majority of that revenue ($39 billion) coming from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.
Recently released individuals from these compounds have reported instances of beatings and electric shocks, displaying bruises and wounds to the media. Thatchai emphasized the need to scrutinize such claims carefully, noting that while some individuals may have voluntarily engaged in these activities for financial gain, others are forcibly subjected to violence and criminality. He explained that some syndicates use violence to maintain control, especially when individuals express a desire to leave, as the syndicates have already invested in their transportation and living expenses. Foreign nationals are expected to be transferred to Thailand in the coming weeks and months.
