Stranded Rescues: The Plight of Foreign Nationals in Myanmar's Scam Centres
Over 200 foreign nationals are stuck near the Thailand-Myanmar border after being rescued from scam centres in Myanmar. Criminal networks trafficked them for illegal online schemes. The Karen National Army has aided over 8,000 individuals, providing food and medical care amid disrupted utilities by Thailand.
More than 200 foreign nationals remain stranded along the troubled border between Myanmar and Thailand after their rescue from scam centres, according to a local rebel group facilitating their repatriation.
These individuals were trafficked by criminal networks to work in illegal online schemes, a situation that has heightened regional security concerns, noted the United Nations. The Karen National Army, which has safely returned over 8,000 people recently rescued from Myanmar's Myawaddy area, reports it currently shelters 216 people, including individuals from Vietnam, China, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
In an attempt to disrupt these illegal operations, Thailand halted essential services to several Myanmar border regions, further complicating the living conditions for both residents and scam victims, reported Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The crackdown led to a shift in criminal activities to Cambodia, although Cambodian authorities deny these claims.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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