Myanmar Bust: 260 Scam Victims Freed, Pakistani Survivor Speaks Out
Mae Sot, Thailand—On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, over 260 individuals from 20 nations were rescued from online scam centers in Myanmar. Thai authorities in Tak province received them from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA). This rescue highlights the transnational human trafficking and forced labor fueling the burgeoning online scam industry.
Among the rescued was 22-year-old Sulaiman, a Pakistani national. His ordeal exemplifies the deceptive tactics of these criminal organizations. Previously employed in Dawei, Myanmar, Sulaiman was lured by a promise of a lucrative job with Amazon in Mae Sot. A Chinese contact promised a high salary and good working conditions, arranging Sulaiman’s flight to Suvarnabhumi Airport. However, upon arrival, his situation took a sinister turn.
Instead of going to Mae Sot, Sulaiman was taken to a hotel filled with Chinese nationals. The next morning, he was taken to the Thai-Myanmar border, ferried across the Moei River into Myanmar, and confronted by armed DKBA soldiers. His passport and phones were confiscated, and he was forced to work for an online scam operation.
Sulaiman’s refusal to participate was met with brutal violence, including electrocution. Even after complying, the abuse continued. He was told he needed to pay $1,200 for his release. Although his family raised the funds, his captors demanded an additional $500. Trapped in a cycle of violence and exploitation, Sulaiman worked grueling 18–20-hour days under constant surveillance. Escape attempts were futile, thwarted by armed guards.
Sulaiman witnessed other victims, many trafficked from Bangkok and exchanged between criminal groups, revealing the operation’s scale and the complex network involved. His experience underscores both the brutality of his captors and the desperation of those trapped.
He credits his rescue to immense luck, expressing gratitude to the Thai military, Thai government, and Myanmar authorities. He now looks forward to reuniting with his family.
This mass rescue is not an isolated incident, indicating the growing prevalence of online scam operations in the region. The repatriation of the 260 individuals is underway, presenting logistical and humanitarian challenges. This incident underscores the need for increased international collaboration to combat these criminal networks and protect vulnerable individuals. Sulaiman’s story serves as a potent reminder of this illicit industry’s human cost and the urgent need for effective intervention. Authorities are investigating to identify and prosecute those behind this criminal network. The fight against human trafficking and forced labor requires a sustained and concerted effort to dismantle these operations and protect vulnerable people.
