Thailand-Myanmar Border Fertile Ground for Fraud Syndicates, 10,000 Victims Freed

About 7,000 people rescued from an online fraud operation center in a Myanmar border town will soon be transferred to Thailand, as part of a hunt by Thai security forces, in collaboration with Myanmar, to stop online scams.

The plan to relocate thousands of victims of online fraud syndicates was announced by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Wednesday (19/2/2025).

Paetongtarn's remarks came after Thai security forces said they were ready to accept about 10,000 foreigners rescued from a building in Shwe Kokko, Myawaddy, a town on the Myanmar-Thai border. The town is one of the hubs of a multibillion-dollar online fraud industry.

Most of the victims were Chinese citizens. There were also citizens from several countries in Southeast Asia.

The repatriation of the victims was carried out by Thai police in collaboration with the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF), an armed group of the Karen ethnic group affiliated with the Myanmar military junta or Tatmadaw.

BGF spokesman Major Naing Maung Zaw told AFP last weekend that they do not want Myanmar's territory to be used as a center for criminal operations. They intend to clean up all areas under their jurisdiction from online fraud syndicates and repatriate victims.

"We have made a list and are ready to move about 10,000 people (to Thailand)," said Naing Maung Zaw.

The military coup on February 1, 2021, turned several points in the border areas of the two countries into lawless areas. These areas, such as Shwe Kokko, have become like foreign areas because many unfamiliar faces have appeared.

These areas have become havens for transnational crime syndicates operating online fraud syndicates, including romance scams, fake investments and illegal gambling.

Now, the syndicate has transformed into a kidnapping and human trafficking syndicate.

Jeremy Douglas, representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as reported by The Guardian, stated that it would be a big and important step if the security forces could clean up the area.

"It's a very big operation. And there are thousands of people there who have been brought in, usually through Thailand. It's a big step if they clean up that complex of fraudulent operations," Douglas said.

Douglas said the border region of Myawaddy is estimated to be one of the largest fraud syndicates in the country and even the world. According to United Nations estimates, financial losses due to this fraud network range from 18 billion to 37 billion US dollars by 2023.

According to a UN report, as reported by The Guardian, at least 120,000 people from a number of countries are employed by this syndicate throughout Myanmar. Likewise in Cambodia, the online fraud syndicate is estimated to employ 100,000 people.

The victims were attracted to work at these locations because they were promised decent jobs and income.

Several victims met by AFP journalists told of their experiences working for the online fraud syndicate. Some of the victims met, namely Chinese nationals, showed bruises on several parts of their bodies, including on their buttocks, which had all turned a pale purple color.

Some of the other victims showed wounds on their lower legs. Some also suffered burns.

“I really want to go home,” said a man who asked not to be named. “I wanted to go home as soon as I arrived. I really miss my parents and my family.”

A woman who is believed to be the victim also suffered injuries to several parts of her body. When speaking to AFP, she showed large bruises on her left arm and thigh. She also said she was electrocuted by her employer.

Many workers said they were lured or tricked with promises of high-paying jobs before being held hostage, having their passports taken and being forced to commit online fraud.

Naing Maung Zaw, a BGF spokesman, said six Chinese men suspected of involvement and working as operational supervisors of the fraudulent site have been detained. They will be sent back to China to undergo legal proceedings in their home country.

The repatriation of Chinese citizens who were victims of crime is being carried out in stages. According to Thai Defense Ministry Spokesperson Major General Thanathip Sawangsaeng, as many as 200 Chinese citizens who were victims will be repatriated to China on Thursday (20/2/2025), from Mae Sot, Thailand, which borders Myawaddy, Myanmar.

Despite having been operating for years, the towns around the Myanmar-Thailand border only came into the spotlight after a Chinese actor, Wang Xing, fell victim to the crime syndicate. Xing was kidnapped in Thailand after he was allegedly lured by the promise of a job.

Since late January, Myanmar authorities have identified 1,303 foreigners who entered the country illegally and worked with the syndicate in Myawaddy. Myanmar security authorities have detained 273 foreigners suspected of being involved in the crime syndicate. (AFP/REUTERS)