Hundreds of foreigners have been freed from scam centres in Myanmar’s Karen State after being brought to Thailand by an ethnic armed group. More than 250 people from 20 nationalities were released, with many more believed to be still trapped in the scam centres.
The workers, mostly from African and Asian nations, were lured to the centres with promises of good salaries or tricked into thinking they would work in different countries. They were then forced to conduct online criminal activity, including love scams, crypto fraud, and money laundering.
An ethnic armed group, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, handed over the workers to the Thai army after meeting with Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra last week. The Thai government has taken steps to crack down on scam centres along its border, including stopping power and fuel supplies and tightening banking and visa rules.
However, some opposition MPs in Thailand have criticized the government for not doing enough to address the issue. Local people in the area where Shwe Kokko was built claim that the scam business is still running, despite promises from Saw Chit Thu, the warlord who controls the city, that it would be shut down.
The Thai Department of Special Investigation has requested arrest warrants for three commanders of another armed group, the Karen National Army, over their alleged involvement in allowing scam compounds to operate under their protection. The situation remains complex, with many victims still trapped and facing exploitation.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2d3w90x86po