Chinese Scammers Jailed for Life as Border Crisis Intensifies

In this photo taken on February 23, 2025 alleged scam centre workers and victims rest during a crackdown operation by the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) in the notorious Myanmarese border town of Myawaddy. Image: AFP

A Chinese court sentenced four people to life imprisonment for their role in running cross-border scam operations in Southeast Asia. The sentences come as ongoing crackdowns in collaboration with Thai and Myanmarese authorities free hundreds of trafficking victims forced into working at scam centers in Myanmar.

Thousands of freed scam workers are now stuck in limbo. Two Myanmarese ethnic militias – the Karen National Army (KNA) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) – are reportedly holding about 7,000 freed workers but Thai authorities are far behind in facilitating their return. The true number of people still stuck in scam compounds could in the tens of thousands. The vast majority are Chinese nationals.

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by CGSP Staff

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