More Kenyans Rescued from Myanmar Trafficking Ring

Authorities in Myanmar have successfully rescued 46 Kenyan nationals from human trafficking networks linked to a suspected Chinese cartel involved in online scams.

This development was confirmed by Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs and follows the prior rescue of 24 Kenyans just a week earlier, illustrating the mounting concern over human trafficking and cybercrime in the region. The operation, carried out on February 12, 2025, was the result of collaborative efforts involving the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Border Guard Force (BGF). These negotiations have led to the release of a total of 261 foreigners from various countries.

This latest rescue coincides with a dramatic escape by four Kenyans who managed to flee to Thailand on February 8. With support from local civilians and border security officials, these individuals are currently undergoing immigration processing in preparation for repatriation. The rescued Kenyans, along with the other foreign nationals, had been held in fraud centres located in areas dominated by rebel factions, complicating the logistics of their recovery.

While the rescued individuals await transfer to Thai authorities, the Ministry emphasizes the severe conditions they face. The victims, trafficked to Myanmar late last year, were coerced into cybercrime activities, including fraud, identity theft, phishing, romance scams, and cryptocurrency scams. Reports indicate that perpetrators subjected them to inhumane treatment, characterized by minimal sleep, relentless working hours, and brutal punishment for not meeting income targets.

These operations are part of an intensified initiative to combat human trafficking and cyber fraud along the Myanmar-Thailand border. Despite ongoing awareness campaigns, many African nationals remain vulnerable to deceptive recruitment practices. Kenyan Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, has urged job seekers to utilize only licensed and approved recruitment agencies to prevent exploitation.

The situation is exacerbated by recruiters employing fellow Kenyans to lure individuals into false job opportunities, particularly in customer care, office administration, cryptocurrency, and teaching roles. Consequently, many victims find themselves destitute, with some abandoned on the streets of Bangkok. Survivors of these trafficking experiences recount harrowing incidents of torture and captivity.

In a related development, the Karen Border Guard Force plans to deport approximately 10,000 individuals linked to cyber scams to Thailand, a key step in dismantling the widespread scam operations that have taken root in Myanmar's border regions. These compounds, often operated by trafficked foreigners, contribute to a multi-billion-dollar online fraud industry. As the crackdown progresses, a Thai military task force in Tak province is coordinating with BGF leaders to manage the expected influx of deported workers in the coming days.