23 South Africans who fell victim to human trafficking in Myanmar we reported to have arrived home. DIRCO through the South African Embassy in Thailand, with the support of other departments and agencies, managed the complex process. An operation by Thai, Chinese and Myanmar authorities led to the release of more than 7000 people from locked compounds in Myanmar where they were forced to trick and scam people worldwide.
Image: DIRCO
SOME of the 23 South Africans rescued from online scam compounds in Myanmar may need to obtain medical assistance before screening interviews following their repatriation to the country on Thursday, says the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
They formed part of 7 000 other individuals from various countries including Indonesia, which according to reports, had among the highest number of rescued citizens at 554.
The South Africans arrived in the country on Thursday following a Dirco-facilitated repatriation, with the assistance of the Border Management Authority.
They were lured to the Kingdom of Thailand last year under false pretences by an employment agency that promised them lucrative jobs that were advertised on various social media platforms.
“These adverts promised the victims good salaries, free accommodation, comprehensive travel expenses and other lucrative benefits. Once in Thailand, they were transported to Myanmar against their will. The victims were held captive for more than four months in a cybercrime compound in Myanmar, which borders Thailand. They were subjected to brutal treatment, including intimidation, physical torture and forced labour. They were also compelled to engage in illicit activities, including online scams that targeted individuals worldwide.
“They were held under 24-hour armed security, and a ransom of approximately R50 000 was demanded for their release. They were forced to work for 16 hours a day and were frequently beaten or tortured if they refused, and they survived on spoiled food and contaminated water without access to medical treatment,” Dirco said in a statement.
The Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) have been called to assist with initial screening of the victims to verify their identity and family information.
“Social workers from the DSD will assist the DPCI in executing further screening interviews with the South African nationals, as they were not officially screened in Myanmar or Thailand. For some individuals, it might be necessary to obtain medical assistance before the screening interviews. Following the screening interviews, the DPCI will transport the victims to health facilities to undergo health screenings. Medical practitioners will assess them for any physical injuries suffered whilst they were held hostage in Myanmar to determine the need for medical assistance,” said Dirco.
The government has urged members of the public to exercise extreme caution when considering employment opportunities abroad.
“Recent reports have highlighted a disturbing trend where individuals are lured to Thailand with the promise of lucrative job offers, only to be trafficked to Myanmar and forced to work in scam compounds under inhumane conditions. Unscrupulous human traffickers keep changing and improving their methods in efforts to defeat efforts by law-enforcement agencies. These criminal syndicates are highly organised and can be very good at identifying and recruiting potential victims."
Cape Times