In a coordinated effort among multiple countries, several individuals abducted to the Myanmar border town of Myawaddy for phone fraud have been rescued. Authorities in Myanmar confirmed that around 2,000 victims have been screened. Recently, a Ta Kung Pao reporter discovered that the first batch of 260 rescued individuals, who were handed over to Thailand on Feb. 12, came from various countries and regions. They are currently being housed in a military camp in Thailand, awaiting screening and repatriation.
Many victims reported being subjected to abuse, with some expressing a desire to return home, even if it meant imprisonment. Thai police have identified two Taiwanese nationals as leaders of the fraud ring.
Chinese authorities are preparing to repatriate more than 200 Chinese nationals as early as Feb. 20, with at least six flights scheduled for their return. The crackdown on phone fraud operations in Myawaddy has intensified, with local military forces under pressure to conduct thorough inspections. As of yesterday, a military general reported that 1,696 individuals had been arrested, with many sent to the police for documentation and repatriation.
During operations, over 600 Chinese people were found confined in a building, and forced to participate in telecom fraud activities. The military has noted severe signs of abuse among the detainees. When asked if they wanted to return to China, all of them raised their hands in agreement. Due to limited resources, the military has only been able to secure the facility's perimeter for now, preventing escape.
In Thailand's Tak province, 260 rescued "piglets" from various countries—including Brazil, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan—are being temporarily housed. Two Taiwanese identified as fraud ring leaders have been separated from the others and will face legal proceedings before deportation, while the remaining individuals are undergoing identity verification for their repatriation.
"Piglets" Awaiting Rescue
Among the rescued individuals, there are currently 16 Filipinos (8 men and 8 women) and 5 Taiwanese (4 men and 1 woman), all of whom were lured to Myawaddy and forced into telecom fraud activities. Many of them still bear scars from abuse.
One Filipino victim, James, shared his story with reporters. He was attracted to work in Bangkok by the promise of high pay, but upon arrival, he was kidnapped and taken to Mae Sot. Guided by a local soldier, he and other victims crossed the Moei River, where they were received by soldiers and forced to work in fraud for 17 hours a day. Any disobedience resulted in severe beatings. James showed his scars, explaining they were from attempts to escape, which led to him being brutally punished.
He mentioned that many others remain in the facility, estimating that there are still thousands of people, mostly Chinese nationals. Expressing his relief at being rescued, he said, "I have been waiting for this moment for a long time."
Additionally, a Thai netizen commented on the rescue news, stating, "If it weren't for the intervention of the Chinese government, who knows what would have happened to these 'piglets'? Local governors, district leaders, police, immigration, foreign affairs, interior, tourism, and military officials all showed no concern for the situation, and the problem went unnoticed for so long. It's heartbreaking for our country's condition."
Challenges in Tackling Fraud Operations
The Border Guard Force (BGF) in Myawaddy has been conducting operations to dismantle the telecom fraud rings, but breaking down these operations, which are controlled by various military factions, poses significant challenges. The relationships between different ethnic armed groups in Myanmar and the masterminds behind these fraud operations complicate the situation.
Currently, the BGF is collaborating with the Myanmar military, but this is seen as a temporary measure. Reports suggest that the recent actions by the BGF are merely to alleviate international pressure, with most arrests targeting low-level staff while the true masterminds remain at large.
Complex Network of Fraud Operations
The network of organized crime behind the telecom fraud operations in Myawaddy is extremely complex, with the area divided into 13 different zones. Some of these zones are reportedly linked to Wan Kuok-koi, a figure associated with the 14K organized crime group from Macao. After his release from prison in 2021, Wan established an organization in Cambodia focused on cryptocurrencies and online gambling. Following the registration of Dongmei Investments Group in Hong Kong, he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for an industrial zone in Myanmar, although he has denied any involvement in human trafficking activities.
It is widely known that the armed forces of various military factions are funded by these fraud groups. Recently, Thailand's Special Investigations Department held a joint meeting with prosecutors handling human trafficking cases, confirming they have sufficient evidence to issue arrest warrants for the BGF commander and nine of his associates. However, the specific dates for these arrests have not yet been determined.
Tracing the flow of illicit funds to identify the masterminds behind the fraud operations is particularly challenging. These operations frequently utilize cryptocurrencies for underground transactions, with Tether (a cryptocurrency pegged to the US dollar) being the most commonly used. The anonymity of cryptocurrency allows it to circulate online without a trace, enabling the masterminds to use thousands of dummy accounts to transfer "black money" into various global cryptocurrency accounts. Additionally, they may convert cryptocurrencies into other currencies during the transfer process, complicating the tracking of these funds.
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