A top Chinese official, Vice Minister of Public Security Liu Zhongyi, has visited the Thai-Myanmar border to highlight efforts to crack down on online scam centers that have been operating in the region. The visit comes ahead of large-scale repatriations of workers who are believed to be involved in these scams.
The online scams, which involve false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches, and illegal gambling schemes, have cost victims around the world tens of billions of dollars. Hundreds of thousands of people from Southeast Asia and elsewhere have been recruited to carry out these scams, often under false pretenses and finding themselves trapped in virtual slavery.
Thailand and China have coordinated their efforts to address this problem, with Thailand cutting off electricity, internet, and gas supplies to several areas in Myanmar along the border. The repatriations of foreign workers from Myanmar are being organized by the Border Guard Force in Myawaddy, a militia of the Karen ethnic minority that exercises control over the area.
However, critics have accused the group of being involved in the criminal activities, at least to some extent. The leader of the group denied any involvement in scam activities but acknowledged business links to properties hosting the centers.
The Chinese official’s visit has been seen as a step towards eradicating these online scams and maintaining the safety of people’s lives and property. Thailand and China have agreed to work together to block criminals from committing crimes in relevant countries.
This crackdown comes after an earlier attempt by China to crack down on scam centers in Myanmar’s northern Shan state, which resulted in the repatriation of 45,000 Chinese nationals suspected of involvement.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/myanmar-china-online-scams-thailand-c91fce0ca0aeeb0f577e2e229d2fc6c6