Japanese Students Targeted by Scammers in Myanmar’s Fraud Rings

Myanmar has become a hotspot for fraud rings operated by crime syndicates, drawing many foreigners, including Japanese students, into forced scam operations. Victims are often lured online with false promises before being taken to Myanmar, where they are coerced into defrauding individuals, primarily targeting the elderly in Japan. Recent efforts by Thai authorities aim to rescue and protect these victims.

Myanmar has reportedly become a center for fraud operations managed by international crime syndicates, particularly those from China. These scams have drawn the attention of many, including Japanese high school students who are among the foreign victims coerced into participating in fraudulent schemes. Criminal hubs have proliferated in regions near the Thai border since the military takeover four years ago, taking advantage of the instability in these areas.

A bridge connecting Thailand to Myanmar features a sign warning against the dangers of becoming involved in scams. Approximately 6,000 foreign nationals, including individuals from Asia and Africa, are believed to be confined in these operations. Some victims have found refuge in Thailand after escaping such situations.

A notable case involves a 17-year-old Japanese student who was enticed to Thailand by a 29-year-old individual he met online. Lured with promises of food and housing, he was subsequently taken to Myanmar. Authorities indicated that these fraud operations primarily target elderly Japanese citizens through deceitful practices.

Another victim, a 16-year-old high school student, similarly fell for an overseas job offer through the internet. This student was reportedly compelled by a Chinese gang to defraud Japanese individuals via phone calls. After reaching out to his family, he was rescued by Thai authorities, escaping a harsh environment where he faced violence for not meeting fraud quotas.

Thai police, in collaboration with personnel from 18 embassies, including Japan’s, have intensified their investigations into these criminal activities to address the ongoing issue of foreign nationals being trapped in fraud operations.

The ongoing situation in Myanmar highlights the perilous environment for foreign nationals, particularly vulnerable youths lured into fraudulent schemes. Recent cases involving Japanese students reveal the cruel tactics employed by crime syndicates, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to combat human trafficking and fraud. Authorities are responding by increasing protective measures and investigations into these deceptive networks.

Original Source: www3.nhk.or.jp