Kenya rescues nationals trapped in Asian scam centers

Hundreds of people from the African state were lured to Myanmar by trafficking syndicates with fake job offers, according to the authorities

Kenya’s government has repatriated 119 of its nationals rescued from illegal employment scam compounds in Myanmar, with hundreds more reportedly still stuck in shelters and detention facilities.

The victims were caught up in a network of fraud hubs that have flourished in Myanmar’s Karen State near Thailand, where trafficked workers from several countries have been forced to run online fraud schemes after being lured by fake job offers, according to officials.

In a statement on Monday, Kenya’s Foreign Ministry said raids by the Myanmar government in September that involved arrests, seizures, bombings, and demolitions at “the scam compounds” left the workers stranded.

“The criminal elements operating the camps fled, abandoning workers – including over 200 Kenyans – who sought refuge in military shelters in Myawaddy and Shwe Kokko, while another group of over 100 Kenyans crossed over to Thailand,” the ministry stated.

READ MORE: India repatriates hundreds lured to work in cyber scams

The ministry said seven Kenyans are still waiting to rebook flights after last-minute cancelations, and that measures have been put in place to link relatives with officials during the process. It added that 86 others in security camps initially refused to cooperate, “demanding government-funded tickets,” before later providing next-of-kin details.

“Currently, 198 Kenyans await repatriation: 66 in Thailand’s IDC and 129 in Myanmar shelters. The Embassy is also in touch with three Kenyans in Caritas Catholic safe house in Cambodia,” it added.

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The authorities said the returnees are being interviewed by the East African country’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ Transnational Organized Crime Unit to support prosecutions of trafficking syndicates.

The repatriation comes as governments step up efforts to dismantle trafficking networks behind Southeast Asia’s cyber-scam industry, which has trapped thousands of foreign workers in recent years. In March, Ethiopia said it had repatriated 130 nationals, while South Africa said it had brought home 23, all rescued in Myanmar. Uganda announced in April that 19 citizens were being repatriated.