Thai security operation rescues 261 from Myanmar call centre
A Thai security operation successfully received 261 foreign nationals who were previously lured by a call centre scam in Myanmar.
The operation yesterday, February 12, at 4.10pm, involved the Ratchamanu Task Force, Border Patrol Police, and local administrative officials in Tak province.
At 4pm, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) handed over 221 men and 39 women from 20 different nationalities, to the Thai security forces at Ban Chong Khaep in Phop Phra district.
They were transported to the Border Patrol Police Company 346 screening centre.
Reports indicate a significant number of victims remain in Myanmar, with an estimated 10,000 Chinese nationals and 7,000 other foreigners affected by similar scams.
Thai police plan to verify the status of these people to ensure they are genuine victims uninvolved with the call centre operations.
After verification, they will be repatriated to their home countries. This process, which includes reviewing border entry and coordination details, is expected to take approximately three weeks to a month.
The Ratchamanu Task Force, in collaboration with Naresuan Task Force, began preliminary screenings to confirm the nationalities and identities of the 20 nationalities involved. The operation took place at the Phop Phra district office with the immigration and labour departments of Tak province, reported KhaoSod.
The breakdown of nationalities includes 16 from the Philippines, 23 from Kenya, 1 from Tanzania, 2 from Brazil, 138 from Ethiopia, 12 from Pakistan, 2 from Bangladesh, 7 from Nepal, 1 from Cambodia, 1 from Sri Lanka, 6 from Uganda, 7 from Taiwan, 6 from Laos, 8 from Indonesia, 2 from Burundi, 1 from Nigeria, 1 from Ghana, 1 from India, 15 from Malaysia, and 10 from China.
In similar news, 61 hapless victims, duped by call centre scammers and whisked away to Myanmar on February 6, made a triumphant return to Thailand.
Courtesy of the Myanmar Border Guard Force, the rescued victims were handed over to Thai officials at the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Bridge in the Mae Sot district of Tak province.
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