Myanmar Prepares to Repatriate 7,000 Call Center Scam Victims

TAK, Feb 13 (TNA) - Myanmar is preparing to repatriate an additional 7,000 victims of call center scams, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

Phumtham said on Wednesday that 260 people, tricked into working for call center gangs in Myanmar, had been released. He added that a further 7,000 people are awaiting repatriation.

"We are working with their respective countries of origin to ensure their direct return home, without having to stay in Thailand’s Tak province," he stated.

The Royal Thai Army received 260 foreign nationals (221 men and 39 women) from 20 countries. They were handed over by Myanmar officials and the DKBA at the border crossing point in Phop Phra district, Tak province. 

The nationalities included: Ethiopia (138), Kenya (23), Philippines (16), Malaysia (15), Pakistan (12), China (10) Indonesia (8), Nepal (7), Taiwan (7), Uganda (6), Laos (6), Burundi (2), Bangladesh (2), Brazil (2), Nigeria (1), Ghana (1), India (1), Cambodia (1), Sri Lanka (1), and Tanzania (1).

Tak province, a Thai border region, has served as a transit point for repatriating victims of call center scams from Myanmar.

Embassies from nations across Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia, including Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia, have contacted the Thai government, offering assistance in repatriating their citizens.

Thai authorities have intensified their crackdown on call center operations along the Myanmar border, including disrupting electricity supplies from Thailand to Myanmar border towns where these gangs operate.

"This success reflects our border sealing measures and practical cooperation with other countries," Phumtham said.

He added that the Chinese government has expressed gratitude to Thailand for its efforts in combating call center scams and is preparing to repatriate its citizens who were deceived into working in the illicit industry. -819 (TNA)