China and Thailand Cooperate to Combat Call-Scam Gangs Exploiting Over 100,000 Workers
Chinese and Thai authorities discuss measures to suppress call-scam operations based in Myanmar that have victimized thousands and involved forced labor.
Chinese Assistant Minister of Public Security Liu Zhongyi has sought Thailand's support in addressing large-scale call-scam operations run by Chinese criminal gangs based in Myanmar.
During a meeting with Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwpan, commissioner of Thailand's Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), in Nonthaburi province on Monday, Liu revealed that 36 major Chinese call-scam gangs employ more than 100,000 individuals to defraud victims.
These gangs, operating from Myanmar's Myawaddy area near Thailand's Tak province, have reportedly lured Chinese citizens into crossing the border under false pretenses.
Once in Myanmar, victims are coerced into working in harsh conditions at scam operations.
Some workers have faced physical abuse, and fatalities have been reported, according to Liu.
One high-profile case involved Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was recently rescued after being duped into traveling to Myanmar for a fake casting audition.
Upon arrival, he was detained by a scam gang.
The incident has raised safety concerns among Chinese tourists and contributed to a decline in visitors to Thailand.
The Chinese delegation has urged Thai authorities to expedite the arrest of gang leaders residing in Thailand and apprehend approximately 20 suspects linked to the Wang Xing case for extradition to China.
Liu also called for the identification and release of Chinese nationals still held by these gangs in Myanmar and requested that Thai officials block operational channels used by the scammers.
In response, the CCIB proposed enhanced information-sharing between Thai and Chinese authorities on scam gang activities and their associated human trafficking networks.
Thai officials also requested China's assistance in identifying gang leaders and disrupting financial transactions linked to the scams.
Both sides discussed the possibility of establishing a joint coordination center to facilitate cooperation in combating call-scam operations.
The discussions reflect ongoing efforts by both nations to address the growing problem of transnational cybercrime and human trafficking linked to scam gangs in the region.
During a meeting with Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwpan, commissioner of Thailand's Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), in Nonthaburi province on Monday, Liu revealed that 36 major Chinese call-scam gangs employ more than 100,000 individuals to defraud victims.
These gangs, operating from Myanmar's Myawaddy area near Thailand's Tak province, have reportedly lured Chinese citizens into crossing the border under false pretenses.
Once in Myanmar, victims are coerced into working in harsh conditions at scam operations.
Some workers have faced physical abuse, and fatalities have been reported, according to Liu.
One high-profile case involved Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was recently rescued after being duped into traveling to Myanmar for a fake casting audition.
Upon arrival, he was detained by a scam gang.
The incident has raised safety concerns among Chinese tourists and contributed to a decline in visitors to Thailand.
The Chinese delegation has urged Thai authorities to expedite the arrest of gang leaders residing in Thailand and apprehend approximately 20 suspects linked to the Wang Xing case for extradition to China.
Liu also called for the identification and release of Chinese nationals still held by these gangs in Myanmar and requested that Thai officials block operational channels used by the scammers.
In response, the CCIB proposed enhanced information-sharing between Thai and Chinese authorities on scam gang activities and their associated human trafficking networks.
Thai officials also requested China's assistance in identifying gang leaders and disrupting financial transactions linked to the scams.
Both sides discussed the possibility of establishing a joint coordination center to facilitate cooperation in combating call-scam operations.
The discussions reflect ongoing efforts by both nations to address the growing problem of transnational cybercrime and human trafficking linked to scam gangs in the region.
