Overview

• More than 7,000 individuals from over 24 countries were freed from scam operations in Myanmar following a joint crackdown by Thai, Chinese, and Myanmar authorities.
• Freed workers, including nearly 300 Indians repatriated this week, describe being lured into scam jobs with false promises and then subjected to forced labor under abusive conditions.
• Thousands remain detained in overcrowded and unsanitary facilities on the Myanmar-Thai border, controlled by armed militias, with limited food, medical care, and no clear timeline for repatriation.
• The scam industry, estimated to steal $18–37 billion annually in Asia alone, continues to operate with minimal disruption as no major arrests or shutdowns have occurred.
• Efforts to repatriate detainees are hindered by logistical challenges, with some countries struggling to arrange flights or cover costs, leaving many in prolonged limbo.