Thailand intensifies operation to rescue scam workers in Myanmar

Freeing of nearly 300 foreigners this month belies scale of human trafficking

20250220 victims of scam centers in Thailand 2

Newly released people of various nationalities who were tricked or trafficked into working in Myanmar scam centers prepare to cross the Moei River to safety in Thailand's Tak province on Feb. 12. © Reuters

FRANCESCA REGALADO

BANGKOK -- Nothing seemed suspicious when Sanjay, a 22-year-old from Bangladesh, arrived in Bangkok in September. He was in high spirits when he called his sister and showed her around his luxurious hotel room in the Thai capital. Recruiters, he told her, had secured his visa and would take him to start a new office job the next day.

Nearly a month passed before his sister, Mousumi Akther, heard from him again. Instead of being taken to an office, Sanjay -- not his real name -- and two other Bangladeshis were driven deep into the jungle. Without their knowledge, they had been taken across the border to Myanmar.

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