China has begun repatriating hundreds of its citizens who were recently freed from scam centres in Myanmar, with the first chartered repatriation flight leaving Thailand on Thursday. More flights are expected in the coming days.
This development follows a collaborative effort between China, Myanmar, and Thailand to close down these centres, located near the Thai-Myanmar border, which were reportedly behind various scams, including fake investment schemes and romantic frauds.
Criminal gangs are believed to have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people across Southeast Asia to work in these centres, where they were subjected to virtual slavery. The repatriation follows the visit of Chinese Vice Minister of Public Security Liu Zhongyi, who traveled to Thailand and Myanmar to oversee the operation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized that the country was working with Myanmar, Thailand, and other regional partners to tackle online gambling and telecom fraud and ensure the safety and well-being of citizens.
Around 7,000 individuals rescued from the scam centres are currently waiting to be moved to Thailand before being returned to their home countries, according to Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Last week, the Thai army reported freeing 260 people from scam compounds in Myanmar, representing 20 different nationalities, including large groups from China, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malaysia, Pakistan, and the Philippines. Other individuals hailed from Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, Nigeria, and India.
As part of a crackdown on the scam networks, Thailand also cut off power, internet, and gas supplies to several areas in Myanmar earlier this month. These scam centres operate in regions controlled by the Border Guard Force in Myawaddy, a Karen ethnic militia, which has facilitated the repatriation of foreign workers but has also been accused of protecting the scam networks, a claim it denies.
