Over 260 Victims Rescued from Trafficking Operations in Myanmar
In February 2023, over 260 foreign nationals were rescued from online scam operations in Myanmar by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army. Victims faced severe exploitation and abuse, prompting urgent intervention. The crackdown on human trafficking has escalated due to international pressure, particularly from China, after a high-profile kidnapping incident. The U.S. estimates considerable losses incurred by American citizens due to such scams from the region.
Recently, over 260 foreign nationals were rescued from human trafficking and online scam operations in Myanmar by a local insurgent group, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA). This rescue operation, escalating amid a crackdown on human trafficking, saw the transfer of victims to Thai authorities on February 12, 2023, after a raid on scam centers.
Major Saw San Aung, DKBA Chief of Staff, reported that 261 victims were identified during an operation targeting trafficked foreign workers in casinos and scam sites in the Myawaddy District. Mandatory compliance with immigration requests from the Myanmar junta and difficult terrain complicated their efforts in retrieving victims safely.
Eyewitness accounts highlighted that trafficking victims were subjected to extreme conditions, forced to meet high earning targets with threats of torture for failure. They were often deprived of sleep and confined in dark cells, indicating severe physical and psychological abuse within these operations. After rescue, these individuals were transported to the Thai facility for their safety.
This situation escalated following the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing, which prompted China to urge Thailand to act on local scam networks. As a result, Thailand made significant moves including suspending power and fuel supplies to Myanmar, affecting territories controlled by ethnic armed groups such as the DKBA.
In a recent handover, a total of 61 trafficked individuals previously secured by Myanmar’s ruling junta and the Karen Border Guard Force included many Chinese nationals. This latest operation also saw the rescue of numerous African victims, revealing the diverse nationalities affected by the scams.
Myanmar authorities have begun emphasizing their commitment to combating illegal online gambling and human trafficking. General Zaw Min Tun, a military spokesperson, remarked that many victims were lured into deceptive job offers related to computer or translation work, further underscoring the menace of these online fraud schemes.
The Myawaddy area, dominated by armed groups, has become notorious for online scams, where a significant number of victims were trafficked under false pretenses. Reports indicate that since May 2022, thousands of foreign nationals have been forced into online fraud schemes, experiencing grave violations of their rights.
The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) has recognized the growing threat posed by scams originating in Southeast Asia, particularly from Myanmar, estimating that U.S. citizens lost approximately $3.5 billion to various fraudulent schemes in 2023. These scams often exploit romantic relationships or job applications to defraud individuals, illuminating the broader implications of this crisis on international safety and economies.
The operation to rescue trafficking victims from Myanmar underscores the seriousness of human trafficking and online scams in the region. Coordinated efforts between local insurgents and Thai authorities reflect the increasing awareness and action against these atrocious practices. With the involvement of international pressure and emerging regional strategies, there is hope for significant improvements in combating human trafficking and ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
