1-minute News | 13 HK residents await rescue as fraud factories resurge

Mainland actor Wang Xing was recently "sold as a piglet" (deceived or trafficked abroad for forced labor) to a fraud factory in Myanmar. He was found two days ago (Jan. 7), sparking renewed public attention on the fraud parks in Southeast Asia. Relatives of Hong Kong residents submitted a petition letter to the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Hong Kong yesterday, stating that their family members found jobs as purchasing agents in Japan and Taiwan four to five months ago. During the journey, they were deceived into going to Thailand to pick up goods and later were taken to a scam compound in Myanmar where they were extorted for millions of US dollars in ransom.

The series of hostage incidents has drawn high attention from the Chinese government. Reports indicate that the scamming syndicate has currently shut down communication channels to evade scrutiny. It is understood that 13 Hong Kong residents are still missing, with their freedom suspected to be restricted by the scamming syndicate.

A reporter from Ta Kung Pao interviewed an informed source who revealed that the scamming syndicate traps people by exploiting their desire for quick money. Some deceived Hong Kong residents came into contact with the scamming syndicate's accomplices through online advertisements, believing they could earn money by carrying goods, enjoy free trips, or secure high-paying positions that required travel for work, only to be lured to the fraud park in Myanmar, where they were extorted and forced to engage in scamming activities.

The Security Bureau, in response to inquiries from Ta Kung Pao, stated that as of Dec. 31, 2024, law enforcement agencies had received 26 cases involving Hong Kong residents claiming to be imprisoned in Southeast Asian countries and unable to leave. Of these cases, 13 individuals have returned to Hong Kong. The remaining 13 cases report that their freedom is still restricted. The Immigration Department has been following up on these cases through the OCMFA and local embassies. They have provided appropriate advice and feasible assistance according to the wishes of the individuals or their families.

"Rescue intermediaries" suspected to be another scam

Relatives of two Hong Kong residents who were abducted to Myanmar visited the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Hong Kong yesterday to submit a petition letter, seeking assistance from the Thai government for their rescue. A man named Kelvin stated that his family member found a job as a purchasing agent in Japan and Taiwan four to five months ago. However, before departing from Hong Kong, the family member was informed of an additional stop in Thailand. Upon arrival in Thailand, the family member was arranged to take a car to "pick up items" one night, only to later discover being deceived into a fraud park in Myanmar. Initially, the victim was told to pay a ransom of US$500,000, which later escalated to over a million.

Kelvin mentioned that family members have been unable to directly contact the imprisoned one and have only received unilateral phone calls from the park to "report safety", which have recently become less frequent. He expressed his inability to afford the ransom and fears that even if the ransom is paid, his family member may not be released. In their efforts to rescue the victim, they explored all options, even considering seeking help from so-called online "rescue intermediaries". Kelvin stated that on mainland social media platforms, some individuals claim to be intermediaries, boasting about rescuing people daily from the park and attaching photos of victims, and chat screenshots, but demanding tens of thousands of RMB. Concerned that these alleged intermediaries might be part of another scam, they ultimately did not seek assistance from them.

LegCo Member Gary Chan, who has handled many cases of Hong Kong residents being abducted to the fraud park in Myanmar, said yesterday that all victims who sought help have returned to Hong Kong. He stated that it generally takes about two months from seeking help to a successful rescue. He also reminded the public that if their family members fall victim, they should directly contact the Security Bureau and avoid attempting to handle the situation themselves to prevent further losses.

A man who has dealt with individuals abducted to the fraud park in Myanmar informed Ta Kung Pao that the scamming syndicate operates by targeting people's desire for quick money. He pointed out that they set traps using citizens' desire, posting online advertisements for easy money or low-education job opportunities, such as earning money by carrying goods, enjoying free travel, or high-paying positions that require travel. They wait for people eager for quick earnings to contact them through online advertisements, enticing these targets to a fraud park in Myanmar, where they are extorted for ransom and forced to engage in scamming activities.

Using "quick money" advertisements to target victims

Searching online for terms like "quick money" or "temporary work" immediately brings up a series of posts, such as earning thousands a day without experience, or claims of making HK$2000 per day. Many netizens directly reply "KK" (referring to the fraud park) to warn others to be cautious of falling for scams. These posters typically use social media profile pictures of young and attractive individuals, but their profiles are entirely blank, making it essential for the public to be cautious.

Looking back, in November last year, two Hong Kong men confessed to participating in human trafficking activities in Southeast Asia, advertising job opportunities on social media to attract job seekers. They then "sold piglets" to Thailand and other places, with some victims being sent to the fraud park in Myanmar to participate in scamming activities. One victim was imprisoned in a cage for four days for refusing to engage in scamming activities, enduring beatings, and electric shocks until their family paid the ransom for their release. The two defendants were earlier charged with conspiracy to defraud, with one of them facing additional money laundering charges. They were sentenced to 7 years and 3 years in prison respectively.

The Security Bureau stated yesterday that since the second quarter of 2024, there have been signs of a resurgence in cases where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries for imprisonment and illegal work. Law enforcement agencies have gradually received sporadic cases seeking assistance. The Security Bureau added cautionary information on their travel alert system website, warning the public not to easily trust online job advertisements or comments, to be cautious of avenues claiming to offer "quick money," positions that do not require qualifications or experience yet offer unusually high remuneration.

(Source: Ta Kung Pao)

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