China has begun repatriating over 1,000 Chinese nationals who had been working in online scam centers in eastern Myanmar, several news outlets including the Associated Press reported on Thursday.
According to AP, the Chinese nationals were first transported from Myanmar into Thailand through the border crossing at Myawaddy, where they underwent biometric scanning and security processing before boarding chartered flights to China.
Photo News: #Chinese workers from #Myanmar #scam centres heading home via #Thailand pic.twitter.com/eLPD5EnA7V
— Mizzima News (@MizzimaNews) February 20, 2025
Thai officials reported that the Chinese nationals were taken in groups of 50 at a time across the border to Mae Sot, where they were bused to the local airport for flights operated by China Southern Airlines.
Flight tracking data showed that many of these flights were headed to Jinghong in Yunnan province, while other groups landed in Nanjing.
A Reuters report claimed 200 Chinese nationals from Myanmar were flown home on Thursday. So far, 16 flights—approximately four per day—have reportedly been scheduled to repatriate the Chinese nationals, with police accompanying them.
CHINA/MYANMAR: Chinese state media carries images of first 200 citizens repatriated from Myanmar this week after being released from Myawaddy scam compounds. Reports describe them as ‘fraud suspects’, they were escorted in handcuffs under heavy guard. 1/2 https://t.co/fMYEsoJVPc pic.twitter.com/cEpG6R4UzG
— CyberScamMonitor (@CyberScamWatch) February 21, 2025
The repatriation, which started on Thursday, is part of the coordinated effort between China, Thailand, and Myanmar, aimed at dismantling cyber fraud networks operating in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.
These scam operations, often disguised as romantic investment schemes, fake financial services, and illegal gambling sites, have victimized people from across Southeast Asia, Africa, and other regions who were lured with promises of legitimate jobs but instead found themselves trapped in fraud syndicates with no means of escape.
The ongoing operation is expected to repatriate up to 10,000 individuals from Myanmar.
According to Thai media reports, Thailand is also processing scam workers from other nations, with the repatriation of 260 individuals from 20 different countries set to begin on Sunday.
