India is preparing to repatriate approximately 500 of its nationals who recently fled from Myanmar into Thailand following military action against cybercrime operations. The individuals were employed in scam centers and sought refuge in Thailand after a crackdown by Myanmar's military on the KK Park compound, a known hub for cyber scams.
The repatriation effort follows a military raid last week on the KK Park compound, which is infamous for its cybercrime activities. This raid resulted in a significant influx of foreign workers, including the Indian nationals, into the Thai border town of Mae Sot. Thai authorities have reported that over 1,500 individuals from 28 different countries have sought refuge in Thailand.
According to Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, India will dispatch an aircraft to Mae Sot to bring the 500 Indian citizens back home. The Indian ambassador is scheduled to meet with the head of Thai immigration to accelerate the verification process necessary for the Indian nationals' return. This collaboration aims to streamline the legal procedures and ensure the swift return of the Indian citizens.
KK Park and similar establishments in the Mekong region have become hubs for online fraud, generating billions of dollars through trafficking and forced labor. These compounds are often operated by Chinese criminal syndicates and local militias aligned with Myanmar's military. The United Nations has highlighted that these cybercriminal hubs have generated billions through trafficking and forced labor. The National Unity Government (NUG) has accused the regime in Naypyidaw of supporting cyber scams in Myanmar and urged the international community to impose stricter sanctions. The NUG has also expressed its readiness to cooperate on regional and international efforts to combat transnational crime, including cyber scam operations.
This repatriation effort highlights India's proactive measures in response to the crisis, following earlier initiatives to bring back nationals trapped in cyber scam centers. In March, 500 Indians were repatriated after being forced to work in cyber fraud syndicates in Myanmar under false job offers. In April, four Indian men were rescued from the Myawaddy region, known as the "global capital of scams".
