TOPIC

Southeast Asia forced-labour scams

Southeast Asia forced-labour scams
Overseas job scams are rising sharply with many being lured to Southeast Asia and forced into illegal work. Cases involving Hongkongers were first revealed in 2022.
Why Southeast Asia is a hotbed for Chinese criminal gangs
Southeast Asia

Video | Why Southeast Asia is a hotbed for Chinese gangs

Crime

Nearly 3,000 Chinese suspects brought back from Myanmar scam hubs, ministry says

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Crime in Hong Kong

Last of 6 Hongkongers recently freed from scam farm in Myanmar returns home

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Crime in Hong Kong

6 scam farm captives to return to Hong Kong after rescue

Security chief Chris Tang says three men and three women, aged 29 to 44, had been illegally detained for five to seven months.

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A task force member (left) with one of the rescued Hong Kong residents. Photo: Handout
Myanmar

Video | Life inside Myanmar’s notorious scam centres

Xu Bochun said he was duped by a fake job offer in 2023 which led to him spending the ‘darkest’ three months of his life in a scam centre.

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Myanmar

Video | Life inside Myanmar’s notorious scam centres

Xu Bochun said he was duped by a fake job offer in 2023 which led to him spending the ‘darkest’ three months of his life trapped in a Myanmar scam centre

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Myanmar

‘I can finally escape this hell’: Myanmar scam workers desperate to go home

About 7,000 people endure heat and mosquito bites at a squalid camp in Myawaddy as repatriation process slows.

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Scam centre workers sit on the ground during a raid at the KK Park complex in Myanmar’s Myawaddy township on February 26. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

Video | Thousands of trafficked workers freed from Myanmar scam hubs

A crackdown on Myanmar’s scam hubs has freed 10,000 workers, but concerns remain over the sustainability of efforts to fight the region’s powerful crime syndicates

The Philippines

5 Chinese bosses among 450 arrested in Philippine scam farm raid

The offshore gaming operator targeted victims in China and India with sports betting and investment schemes.

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Myanmar

Video | Trafficked scam workers heading home from Myanmar

A spokesman for a Myanmar militia said the group is preparing to deport 10,000 people from various countries

Freed Chinese scam centre workers due to return home from Myanmar
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Crime in Hong Kong

Myanmar’s ‘complex situation’ biggest hurdle to helping trapped Hongkongers

Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk also says ‘areas that the Myanmese government can control are relatively small’, amid country’s civil war.

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Eight Hongkongers currently remained trapped at scam farms in Myanmar, according to the city government. Photo: Shutterstock
Thailand

Video | Thailand shuts power to Myanmar’s scam hub

 Thai prime minister is due to meet President Xi Jinping to discuss the scam crisis  

Thailand

Thailand shuts power to Myanmar’s scam hub, PM Paetongtarn vows firm action

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is slated to meet President Xi Jinping to discuss issues including the scam crisis.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Editorial | ‘Scam farm’ rescues rest on following the right path to freedom

Return of remaining Hong Kong residents held by fraudsters in countries bordering Thailand hinges on balancing operational needs and transparency.

A Hongkonger who was lured to Southeast Asia and held captive in a scam park in Myanmar since October has returned to the city. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Scam farm victim returns to Hong Kong, as officials vow to help 9 others

Woman was found on the Myanmese side of border near Thailand’s Tak province on Sunday.

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Hong Kong officials meet the victim (right) in Bangkok on Tuesday morning. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Hongkonger rescued from Myanmar scam farm, as authorities vow swift return home

Security Bureau confirms rescue of woman reportedly found on Myanmar side of border near Thailand’s Tak province.

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Thailand

Video | Is it still safe to travel to Thailand?

Chinese tourists have become wary of travelling to Thailand after a spate of kidnapping incidents

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Crime

Why the Thailand-Myanmar border is a hub for gangs preying on Chinese nationals

The recent rescue of kidnapped actor Wang Xing has highlighted the transnational criminal networks that thrive in the region.

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Wang Xing shakes hands with a Thai police officer after his rescue. Photo: Reuters
Crime in Hong Kong

Hongkonger stuck in Thailand to fly home on Monday after scam farm ordeal

Security chief Chris Tang ‘thankful’ to secure return of 29-year-old in time for Lunar New Year.

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Asia travel

Video | Thai PM uses AI to ‘speak’ Mandarin

A Chinese actor’s disappearance near the Thai-Myanmar border in early January 2025 raised safety concerns about visiting Thailand

Crime in Hong Kong

Electric shocks, physical assault: inside Southeast Asia’s forced labour camps

Recent high-profile rescue of mainland actor Wang Xing has put the plight of thousands trapped in compounds in focus.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Crime in Hong Kong

Thailand assures Hongkongers over safety amid forced labour scams

Thai consulate in Hong Kong says country is working with neighbouring countries to clamp down on scam farms.

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A view of Myanmar’s Myawaddy, along the border with Thailand. The area is home to some of the notorious scam centres. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong police

Hong Kong sends team to Bangkok to help victim of Southeast Asian scam farm

Man, 29, released from scam compound in Myanmar but could be detained in Thailand for weeks.

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmaker under fire for jabs at ex-politician helping scam victims

Joephy Chan accuses former district councillor Andy Yu of using Southeast Asia scam victim cause to gather support for election bid.

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Hong Kong society

Second Hong Kong man rescued from Southeast Asia scam farm: ex-politician

Former District Councillor Andy Yu tells the Post the man has fled to Bangkok after four months of captivity.

A family member of a kidnapped victim is accompanied by former District Councillor Andy Yu (right) to petition for help. Photo: Jelly Tse
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong security chief defends city’s role in recovery of scam farm captives

Some residents previously held captive in Southeast Asia managed to return to Hong Kong after families paid ransoms.

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A Hongkonger held captive in Southeast Asia earlier returned home after his family paid a ransom. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong to probe role of crime groups in luring victims to scam farms

Secretary for Security Chris Tang also vows authorities will do ‘utmost’ to rescue 11 Hong Kong residents held captive in Southeast Asia.

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Crime

China and Thailand detain 12 gang members suspected of Myanmar trafficking scam

News of the joint crime-fighting effort comes after top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi urges Asean countries to crack down on cross-border fraud.

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