A regional crackdown on online scam centers has led to over 7,000 people from around the world being held in a border town on the Thailand-Myanmar border. The crackdown, which includes Thailand, Myanmar, and China, aims to stop hundreds of thousands of people from being exploited financially through false romances, investment pitches, and gambling schemes.
The Thai government has cut off essential services such as electricity, internet, and gas supplies to areas hosting scam centers along the border, citing national security concerns. However, officials say verifying identities is a major challenge, straining repatriation efforts.
Over half of the 7,000 waiting for repatriation are Chinese nationals, with the rest from various countries including Ethiopia, Brazil, and the Philippines. Thailand has allowed China to handle most processing on their return, chartering 16 flights to bring over 600 Chinese back home.
The situation is straining Thailand’s resources, leading to delays in repatriations. Aid groups say the unprecedented number of victims requires a global response, with Thailand’s deputy prime minister acknowledging concerns and coordinating efforts to process repatriations as fast as possible.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/thailand-myanmar-online-scam-centers-repatriation-133efbf0529fafacf91a4aee27d48a87