39 Foreigners Flee Online Scam in Myanmar

Thirty-nine foreigners, primarily from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia, and Russia, have escaped from an online scam center in Myawaddy, Myanmar, and crossed into Thailand, where they are being assisted by local authorities. The group was reportedly forced into labor by a call center gang believed to be run by Chinese nationals. Thai officials, including police from the Naresuan Task Force, found the individuals during a border patrol operation in the Mae Sot district, after which they were provided with food and drink. The area is notorious for drug production and online scams, and the foreigners are now being processed for repatriation with the help of their respective embassies. The situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding human trafficking and exploitation in the region, as officials work to identify potential victims. This incident underscores the broader issue of scam operations that have proliferated along Myanmar's borderlands, drawing attention to the billions of dollars involved in this illicit industry.