Thailand to repatriate thousands of scam centre workers from Myanmar

Scam centres in the Thai - Myanmar border area (Photo: BBC)

Hanoi – Thailand agreed with Myanmar and China to repatriate thousands of alleged scam centre workers stranded in camps at the Thai-Myanmar border, part of a crackdown on transnational crime, an official has said.

Some 5,000 Chinese nationals will be sent home, with an average number of 1,000 a week, starting next week, the Thai Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told reporters.

The announcement came after a meeting in Bangkok between Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, Chinese Assistant Minister for Public Security Liu Zhongyi and Myanmar's Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Aung Kyaw Kyaw.

Cyberscam operations, which have thrived in Myanmar's lawless border areas for several years, lure foreign workers with promises of high-paying jobs but hold them hostage and force them into committing online fraud.

The United Nations estimates that as many as 120,000 people, many of them Chinese men, may be working in Myanmar scam centres against their will.

Myanmar returns 100 scam centre workers to China Myanmar has handed over more than 100 Chinese scam centre workers to be repatriated through Thailand, the third batch in a major crackdown on the illegal operations.

Thailand to cooperate with Cambodia, Laos to curb scams The Thai government is committed to protecting Thais from criminal networks and has already made substantial progress.

More than 200 foreigners rescued from Cambodian scam centre The operation followed an urgent meeting between Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, the Royal Thai Police inspector-general, and Cambodian high-ranking police officers on February 21 to discuss operational plans to eradicate call centre scam gangs.