Thai police have stated that scam centers in Myanmar are still operational, with up to 100,000 people potentially working there, despite some voluntarily going there, and are calling for international cooperation to investigate the criminals.
Recently, Thai police revealed that scam centers within Myanmar continue to operate, with estimates suggesting that as many as 100,000 individuals are still working in these illegal facilities. Senior officer Tachai Pitani Labut, responsible for Thailand’s anti-scam operations, stated in an interview that despite several weeks of multinational crackdowns, these scam centers have not been fully shut down, and many people may have gone there voluntarily.
The scam centers in Myanmar, particularly in the Myawaddy area, have become part of an illegal crime network in Southeast Asia. These centers generate billions of dollars in revenue each year, often involving labor trafficked into the region. The United Nations has extensively addressed this phenomenon, noting that many individuals are forced into scam activities without their knowledge.
Tachai pointed out that initial assessments of the 5,000 people who had been withdrawn from the Myawaddy area indicated that several hundred had gone there voluntarily. This assertion starkly contrasts with the general portrayal of victims in media reports. Many victims are depicted as unfortunate individuals lured by criminal masterminds, but in reality, some may have actively chosen these jobs in search of employment or a better life.
Jason Tower, an analyst at the United States Institute of Peace, stated that many who voluntarily went to these areas were initially unaware of their situation until they found themselves trapped in scam operations. Former scam workers have described their experiences of being forced to deceive strangers online, often by pretending to be romantic interests to facilitate financial transfers.
This issue garnered renewed attention in January of this year when Chinese actor Wang Xing was kidnapped in Thailand and subsequently rescued. This incident sparked widespread discussion on Chinese social media, prompting Beijing to send officials to Thailand to coordinate the dismantling of scam centers and the rescue of citizens. Tachai noted that since the Wang Xing case, approximately 3,600 foreigners have traveled to Mae Sot, and investigations revealed that no one was found to have been coerced in their journey.
In February, as crackdowns intensified, around 260 individuals from 20 countries were sent from Myawaddy to Thailand. According to preliminary investigations, most of these people were not forced, with Tachai emphasizing that they all came voluntarily. He is awaiting information from countries including China and India to confirm whether repatriated nationals had been trafficked to the scam centers.
Despite a series of measures taken by Thai police, Tachai pointed out that the current crackdown has only impacted a small portion of the vast operations in Myawaddy. He disclosed that there may still be as many as 50,000 to 100,000 people remaining in the area, based on intelligence from Thai police and confirmation from Chinese authorities that these individuals are still engaged in scam activities.
Since February, Thai police have cited data from Myanmar authorities indicating that over 5,200 individuals have been rescued from scam facilities in Myawaddy and surrounding areas, with more than 3,500 having been sent back to their countries through Thailand. To disrupt the operations of the scam centers, Thailand has also taken measures to cut off electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to the region.
Tachai stated that due to the diverse nationalities of scam workers, Thailand is promoting the establishment of a multinational coordination center to facilitate repatriation, investigations, and information sharing, and to prosecute those involved in the scam operations. He emphasized that individuals rescued from Myawaddy and other scam centers should be prosecuted in their home countries, adding that Thai police are always ready to provide necessary assistance.
Currently, the main task for Thai authorities is to coordinate the return of scam center victims to their home countries, as thousands of former workers are still lingering near the Thai-Myanmar border, with some struggling to find their way home due to a lack of funds. Tachai called for increased cooperation among nations to address this global issue of human trafficking and scams, ensuring that more victims receive the rescue and protection they deserve.
