Thousands Freed from Myanmar Scam Centers Await Repatriation

Thousands of foreign nationals, primarily from China and Southeast Asia, have been freed from scam centers in Myanmar but are now facing dire living conditions while they await repatriation. Approximately 7,700 individuals have been rescued by ethnic armed groups since January, with many currently held in overcrowded temporary camps in Myawaddy, where hygiene is poor and basic needs are unmet. Detainees report having been lured by fraudulent job offers and subjected to harsh treatment, including physical punishments. While some have begun being transported back home through Thailand, the repatriation process is slow and fraught with challenges, as many still remain trapped in these facilities. The Myanmar junta, under pressure from Beijing, has taken steps to curb the operations of these scam centers, which are part of a larger criminal industry. Freed workers express desperation to return home and a desire to escape their traumatic experiences.