"Over 5,300 People Still Held Captive in Myanmar Crime Hubs"

A civil society organization has reported that despite crackdowns on criminal hubs—often used for fraudulent operations—more than 5,000 people remain held captive in Myanmar.

According to a Reuters report on June 23 (local time), the Thai-based "Civil Society Network for Human Trafficking Victims" stated the previous day that an estimated 5,300 people are trapped in criminal compounds near the Thai border.

The organization reported that a significant number of these individuals are being held in four criminal compounds located in areas controlled by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), a Myanmar ethnic armed group.

"Many of these criminal hubs have not yet been dismantled, nor have they been the target of operations to rescue all remaining victims," the group stated.

They added, "As a result, these organizations continue to engage in online fraud and human trafficking, harming victims worldwide, particularly in the United States and Europe."

The captives reportedly include approximately 1,600 Chinese nationals, 200 Myanmar nationals, and 20 Thai nationals, as well as individuals from the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brazil, Russia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.

In response, the organization has sent a letter to the Thai police urging them to take action.

Reuters reported that both the DKBA and Myanmar government authorities did not respond to requests for comment regarding the civil group's claims.

As the issue of criminal hubs in Myanmar and Cambodia emerged as a global concern last year, the Myanmar military junta conducted several large-scale crackdowns, detaining over 10,000 people and repatriating foreign nationals among them to their home countries.

In October of last year, authorities raided "KK Park," a massive criminal compound located on the Thai border in Myawaddy, Kayin State, in southeastern Myanmar, and even demolished buildings within the complex.

However, doubts are growing regarding the actual effectiveness of these crackdowns. An Amnesty International report released in April found that despite government announcements of major operations in Cambodia, the number of criminal hubs nationwide had actually increased by more than 60% to 86, compared to 53 a year prior.

In its report, Amnesty stated, "The Cambodian crackdown has failed in key areas," adding that the government "failed to investigate and shut down some of the most well-known criminal hubs in the country, and failed to protect and support victims who escaped."

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.