Over 7,000 foreign nationals rescued from Myanmar scam centres
More than 7,000 foreign nationals trapped in scam call centres in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region have been freed and are awaiting repatriation, according to the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF).
The victims, totalling 7,141 people from 28 nationalities, were rescued from the notorious Shwe Kokko and KK Park complexes, areas known for human trafficking and cybercrime activities. The BGF, led by Karen warlord Saw Chit Thu, handed over the list of names to Thailand’s Ratchamanu Task Force for processing.
Among those rescued are 6,716 men and 425 women. The largest group is from China, accounting for 4,860 people (4,764 men and 96 women). Other significant nationalities include Vietnam with 572 victims, India with 526, and Ethiopia with 430. Smaller groups from Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kenya, and Taiwan were also among those liberated.
The BGF, consisting of approximately 8,000 members, has a complex relationship with Myanmar’s military junta but is currently cooperating to enhance its international image.
Saw Chit Thu has been instrumental in the crackdown on human trafficking since mid-February when Thailand severed power, oil, and Internet supplies to five sites suspected of hosting Chinese-operated call centres. These centres targeted victims across China, Thailand, and other countries.
The crackdown gained momentum following the high-profile abduction of a Chinese actor, which stirred public outrage in China, a major tourist market for Thailand. This incident prompted intensified efforts by both Thai and Myanmar officials to dismantle the criminal networks operating in the border region.
Despite being freed, the victims remain in Myanmar, awaiting repatriation to their home countries. The BGF is urging the Thai government and other nations to expedite the process. However, Thai officials are reportedly reluctant to allow the victims into Thailand unless their home countries are prepared to receive them immediately, reported Bangkok Post.
“Cooperation from all countries involved is crucial to ensure the safe and timely return of these individuals,” a BGF spokesperson stated.
The Shwe Kokko and KK Park areas have long been under international scrutiny for harbouring cybercrime syndicates linked to human trafficking.
The BGF’s involvement in these rescue operations is seen as an attempt to distance itself from its alleged connections to these illicit activities.
As international pressure mounts, the spotlight remains on how Myanmar’s authorities, the BGF, and neighbouring countries will collaborate to resolve this humanitarian crisis.
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