They were forced to scam others worldwide. Now thousands are detained on the Burmese border

Thousands of sick, exhausted and terrified young men and women, from countries all over the world, find themselves trapped once again in overcrowded facilities with no medical care, limited food, and no idea when they’ll be sent home. Their nightmare was supposed to be over, but they remain in detention after being released from locked compounds in Myanmar where they were forced to scam Americans and others out of their life savings.

Last month, a dramatic and highly publicized operation by Thai, Chinese, and Myanmar authorities led to the release of more than 7,000 people from these compounds. However, survivors now find themselves held in army camps controlled by armed groups or repurposed scam compounds, sharing unsanitary conditions and facing uncertainty about their future.

The trapped individuals, including highly educated and fluent English speakers, were initially lured to Thailand with promises of lucrative office jobs, only to find themselves forced to work long hours running scams. Refusing to work could result in beatings, starvation, and electric shocks.

The cyber scam industry has flourished during the pandemic, with billions of dollars being lost in Asia alone in 2023. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes estimates that between $18 billion and $37 billion was lost in the region, with minimal government action taken against these criminal activities.

Following a viral social media campaign initiated by the girlfriend of a young Chinese actor who was trafficked to Myanmar, Chinese authorities demanded an end to the scams. In response, Thailand cut off supplies to border towns in Myanmar, leading to the release of thousands of trapped individuals.

However, the situation has now turned into a growing humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people awaiting permission to return to their home countries. Thai officials say they can only manage to receive 300 people per day for repatriation, leaving many stranded in overcrowded facilities with limited resources.

Chartered flights have been arranged for some citizens from China and other countries, but many individuals are still waiting for assistance from their embassies. Aid organizations are struggling to provide support to the released scam center workers, with limited resources available to help the thousands of individuals in need.

The recent halt to U.S. foreign aid funding has further complicated efforts to assist the survivors of these scams. The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration, which previously funded care for victims of trafficking in scam compounds, has been forced to halt its work due to the funding freeze.

As the world watches this unfolding crisis, advocates are calling for a global response to support the thousands of individuals who remain trapped in detention. Without immediate action, these survivors will continue to suffer in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions with no clear path to freedom.