261 Trafficking Victims Rescued in Myanmar Amid Crackdown on Scams
In February 2023, over 260 victims of trafficking were rescued from online scam operations in Myanmar. Conducted by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, this significant action was part of a broader crackdown on human trafficking and scam networks affecting foreign nationals. The victims faced harsh labor and torture while being manipulated by scam syndicates. The situation exacerbated tensions in the region, prompting increased cooperation between Myanmar and Thailand with international stakeholders.
Over 260 foreign nationals were rescued from online scam operations in Myanmar and transferred to Thai authorities as part of a concerted effort to combat human trafficking and cyber fraud along the border between the two nations. This rescue operation took place on February 12, following efforts by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), which conducted raids on suspected scam centers in the Myawaddy District of Karen State.
Major Saw San Aung, Chief of Staff of the DKBA, indicated in a telephone conversation with VOA’s Burmese Service that the group successfully identified 261 victims and facilitated their handover to Thai officials. He noted the difficulties faced during the rescue process, including restrictive demands from the Myanmar junta’s immigration department and challenging terrain needing navigation to retrieve the victims before safely transporting them to Thai authorities.
Eyewitnesses reported alarming conditions faced by the trafficking victims, who were coerced by online scam operators to achieve demanding financial targets of up to $50,000 monthly. Failure to meet these targets reportedly resulted in severe punishment, with victims enduring torture and extreme labor conditions, often confined in dark cells with minimal rest and subjected to continuous abuse.
The situation has drawn significant attention to the region, particularly after the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing in January, which prompted China to influence the Thai government to take action against the scam networks. Thailand subsequently imposed restrictions on the electricity and fuel supply to Myanmar, affecting areas controlled by allied ethnic Karen armed groups.
On February 6, in a prior operation, authorities returned 61 trafficked individuals, including 39 Chinese nationals, further underscoring the ongoing efforts against human trafficking. The recently rescued group included individuals from various nations, highlighting the international dimensions of this crisis.
Myanmar’s military leadership has publicly committed to severing the operations of illegal online gambling and scam schemes, seeking collaboration from the global community. General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the military junta, reported that many victims were lured with false job offers promising lucrative salaries in sectors like technology and translation, only to find themselves trafficked into exploitative labor.
Myawaddy, which falls under the jurisdiction of Karen armed groups such as the DKBA and the Karen Border Guard Force, has become notorious as a hotspot for online scams. Reports indicate that a significant number of individuals, particularly from China and neighboring countries, are trafficked into this region under pretenses of legitimate employment, only to be forced into fraudulent activities.
The U.S. Institute of Peace has raised alarms regarding the implications of Southeast Asian scams, particularly those stemming from Myanmar, emphasizing their status as a security threat responsible for substantial financial losses in the U.S. Reports suggest that in 2023 alone, American citizens fell victim to scams amounting to $3.5 billion, sparking concerns over forced labor and deceptive financial schemes targeting vulnerable populations.
The successful rescue of over 260 trafficking victims from Myanmar underscores the escalating crisis of human trafficking and cyber fraud in the region. The concerted efforts of local insurgent groups, in collaboration with Thai authorities, highlight the urgency of addressing exploitative practices that lure individuals with false promises of legitimate employment. As international awareness grows, the need for robust interventions to combat these illicit operations becomes increasingly critical.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
