Rescue Operation Uncovers Over 260 Victims of Trafficking in Myanmar

Over 260 foreign nationals were rescued from online scams in Myanmar by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army and handed to Thai authorities. The victims, subject to torture and abuse, were taken aboard to a secure facility. Diplomatically pressured by China, Thailand’s crackdown on these scams escalates amid rising tensions. A surge in illicit online scams from this region leads to significant financial losses for U.S. residents.

Over 260 foreign nationals were rescued from online scam operations in Myanmar and transferred to Thai authorities in a significant effort against human trafficking and cyber fraud along the border. The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), which conducted the rescue on February 12, discovered the victims during a raid on scam centers. According to DKBA Chief of Staff Major Saw San Aung, the group aims to recover as many victims as possible despite facing challenges from the Myanmar junta’s immigration requirements and difficult terrain.

A rescue worker, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, shared harrowing accounts of victim treatment by online scam gangs. Victims were pressured to meet demanding monthly financial targets, endure severe torture for failing, and were often deprived of sleep and subjected to continual abuse while confined in dark rooms. The rescued individuals were subsequently ferried to a secure facility in Thailand after being transferred to authorities at Phop Phra.

Tensions between China and Myanmar have risen following the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing in January, prompting China to urge Thailand to intensify its crackdown on scam networks. This diplomatic pressure has seemingly influenced Thailand’s decision to halt electricity and fuel supplies to Myanmar, affecting regions controlled by ethnic Karen groups. In a prior rescue on February 6, 61 trafficked individuals, including 39 Chinese nationals, were handed over to Thailand by Myanmar’s ruling junta and the Karen Border Guard Force.

The rescued victims included numerous individuals from Africa, such as 46 Ethiopians and 33 Kenyans, as identified by the DKBA. Myanmar’s military leadership has also emphasized its commitment to combat illegal online gambling and scam operations with international assistance. General Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the military junta, explained that many victims were lured by enticing job offers that did not materialize as promised, leading them into a cycle of trafficking and exploitation.

Myawaddy, a town in Karen State along the Thai border, has become notorious as a center for scam syndicates, largely controlled by Karen armed groups. Reports indicated that, as of May 2022, over 1,200 Chinese nationals and others from various countries were trafficked to Myawaddy, where they were coerced into fraudulent online activities. Increased scrutiny has arisen since the Karen BGF realigned away from the military, further complicating the dynamics of scam operations.

The United States Institute of Peace has acknowledged the grave security threat posed by online scams from Southeast Asia, notably Myanmar, reporting that Americans lost approximately $3.5 billion to these schemes in 2023. These scams target U.S. residents through deceptive job advertisements and other fraudulent practices, including forced labor and romantic scams. The international community continues to address the pervasive issue of human trafficking and online fraud in this region.

The recent rescue of over 260 trafficking victims from Myanmar underscores the pressing issue of human trafficking and cyber fraud in Southeast Asia. The efforts led by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, along with increased international pressure, highlight the complex challenges in combating these criminal networks. The alarming trend of deception and exploitation must be addressed to protect potential victims from drawn-out cycles of abuse and suffering.

Original Source: www.voanews.com