Overview

• Over 7,000 individuals from 24 countries, including 540 Indians, were freed from scam centers in Myanmar following a joint operation by Thai, Chinese, and Myanmar authorities.
• Victims were lured with fake job offers and forced into cybercrime operations targeting global victims, with refusal to comply met with abuse and violence.
• Released individuals are now held in overcrowded, unhygienic facilities at the Myanmar-Thai border, with limited food, medical care, and no clear timeline for return to their home countries.
• The Indian government has repatriated 283 nationals so far, with more efforts underway, while other countries face challenges in arranging resources for their citizens’ return.
• Advocates warn that the scam networks remain operational, with no major arrests or shutdowns of the criminal infrastructure despite the crackdown.