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Thailand, China coordinate to repatriate phone scam victims

To date, among the 260 individuals from 20 countries who have been rescued from call centres in Myanmar, 258 have been identified as trafficking victims.

Multinational victims of scam centres, who were tricked or trafficked into working in Myanmar, travel on army trucks after they were sent to Thailand, in Phop Phra district, Tak province, February 12, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
Multinational victims of scam centres, who were tricked or trafficked into working in Myanmar, travel on army trucks after they were sent to Thailand, in Phop Phra district, Tak province, February 12, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

Bangkok (VNA) - Thai authorities announced that from February 20-22, China has been repatriating victims of telephone scam operations who were rescued from call centres in Myawaddy in Karen state of Myanmar.

Previously, Thailand had received the victims and members of the phone scam network handed over by Myanmar.

Tak province’s Governor Chucheep Pongchai said the Thai government had agreed with Liu Zhongyi, China’s assistant minister of public security, to allow China to screen its own citizens to filter out victims from call-centre gang members, without the need for a second screening by Thai authorities.

After the screening process, the Chinese citizens will be transported by bus via the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge directly to Mae Sot airport to be flown back home, the governor added.

To date, among the 260 individuals from 20 countries who have been rescued from call centres in Myanmar, 258 have been identified as trafficking victims. According to Chucheep, many embassies have coordinated to repatriate their citizens, while Thai authorities have also prepared personnel to assist and facilitate the return of the victims./.

VNA
#Phone scam victims #China #Thailand #Myanmar #call centres #Vietnam China Myanmar Thailand
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