Thai Army Repatriates 260 Victims of Virtual Slavery from Myanmar
A fresh crackdown on online scam centers operating from Southeast Asia has led to the rescue and repatriation of 260 foreigners believed to be victims of human trafficking. The Thai army, in coordination with authorities, is working to return the individuals to their countries of origin.
According to reports, the rescued individuals were sent from Myanmar’s Myawaddy district to Thailand’s Tak province after being freed by a local ethnic militia. An earlier crackdown on scam centers in Myanmar resulted in the repatriation of 45,000 Chinese nationals suspected of involvement.
The Thai army has stated that those rescued will undergo questioning and may enter a protection process before being sent back to their countries. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said Thailand will only receive victims ready for immediate repatriation, with plans to question them first to determine their status as human trafficking victims.
China, a major concern over the prevalence of scams in Southeast Asia, has taken steps to crack down on these networks. The Thai government recently cut off electricity and internet supplies to areas along the Myanmar-Thailand border, citing national security concerns.
This latest development highlights the ongoing issue of virtual slavery in online scam centers across Southeast Asia. Authorities are working to protect those affected and bring perpetrators to justice, ensuring the victims receive proper support and care before their return home.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-scam-centers-thailand-army-myawaddy-trafficking-853f556f08a2bacb3991589fc8ab3588