Thousands of individuals from across the globe, lured by false promises of employment, are now trapped in makeshift detention centers in Myanmar. The coordinated effort to dismantle cyber scam networks has revealed the scale of human trafficking, with urgent calls for international aid to facilitate repatriation.
A massive crackdown on online scam centers in Myanmar has resulted in over 7,000 individuals from across the globe being detained in a border town, triggering a complex repatriation effort that is straining resources and raising fears of a humanitarian crisis,
According to a report by news agency AP, the coordinated operation, involving Thailand, Myanmar, and China, follows Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s pledge to combat these criminal networks, which have lured hundreds of thousands into virtual slavery.
Victims, often enticed with promises of lucrative jobs, find themselves trapped in compounds in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, forced to perpetrate scams involving fake romances, investment schemes, and illegal gambling. The scale of the operation has overwhelmed authorities, with Amy Miller, Southeast Asia director of Acts of Mercy International, describing the situation as an unprecedented release of potential human trafficking victims.
This is what the cyber scam centers in KK Park, Myawaddy, Myanmar, look like. Around 2,000 Indians are working here—some forcibly, others willingly—engaged in defrauding people. They come from various parts of India, including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. These centre are owned… pic.twitter.com/7b5nYV8ZHE
— Sudhakar Udumula (@sudhakarudumula) March 7, 2025
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The sheer volume of detainees has created logistical nightmares. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed concern over potential chaos if the repatriation process is not expedited. Identity verification issues have further complicated matters, slowing down efforts to return people to their home countries.
Of the over 7,000 people detained, more than half are Chinese citizens. China has taken a leading role in repatriating its nationals, chartering 16 flights and handling much of the processing. In contrast, other nations face significant hurdles. For example, roughly 130 Ethiopian citizens are currently held in a Thai military base, awaiting $600 plane tickets to return home. Earlier this month, approximately 260 people from 20 countries, including Ethiopia, Brazil, and the Philippines, were processed by Thailand, with over 100 still awaiting repatriation.
First up: A crackdown on online scam centres involving three countries in Asia. Over 7000 people from around the world were rescued from human traffickers, including dozens of South Africans. Now, they’re stuck in Myanmar and desperate to get home. #CarteBlanche @clairemawisa pic.twitter.com/EpS4bFnOA1
— Carte Blanche (@carteblanchetv) March 9, 2025
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Adding to the urgency, reports from inside the detention facilities paint a grim picture. One Indian man reported that approximately 800 people shared unsanitary conditions, with many suffering from fevers and coughs. Another Indian man, 24, expressed the desire to return home. A Pakistani man described the situation as “a living hell,” detailing the confiscation of passports and forced labor.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes estimates that these cyber scams cost Asia between $18 billion and $37 billion in 2023 alone. The United States Institute of Peace estimates that as many as 300,000 people may be working in these scam operations throughout the region.
Thailand has taken steps to cut off electricity, internet, and gas supplies to areas in Myanmar hosting the scam centers, citing national security concerns. However, the sheer number of people needing assistance has created a bottleneck. Thailand has announced that they are only able to process 300 people a day for repatriation, down from 500, and only Monday through Friday.
Thai officials recently met with representatives from various embassies, pledging to expedite the repatriation process. However, the crisis underscores the need for a global response to address the complex issue of human trafficking and cybercrime.
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