Chinese Actor's Ordeal Exposes Dark Reality of Human Trafficking in Myanmar

Chinese Actor Lured into Myanmar Scam Ring

Wang Xing, a 31-year-old Chinese actor, fell victim to a cruel deception. Lured by the promise of a film role in Thailand, he found himself trapped in a Myanmar scam center. Upon arrival, he was whisked away to Myanmar, locked up, and forced to participate in a call scam operation. Fortunately, he was rescued after a few harrowing days.

This incident is not an isolated one. A Japanese teenager was also lured to Myanmar and forced to work in a similar scam ring. He was threatened with a stun gun and coerced into impersonating a police officer in phone scams.

These cases highlight the disturbing reality of human trafficking and exploitation in Myanmar. An estimated 120,000 people were forced to work for online fraud rings in the country in 2023. This rampant exploitation thrives in the power vacuum left by the ongoing civil war.

The scale of these operations is alarming. The Japanese teenager reported being held captive with eight other Japanese nationals. These crimes, often referred to as "yami baito" (dark part-time jobs) in Japan and "heichan" (black industry) in China, are far more insidious than their casual names suggest.

The Chinese authorities are deeply concerned about the situation. Over 50,000 communication fraud suspects have been extradited to China since 2023. The man who lured Wang Xing, a Chinese national from Jiangsu province, has been apprehended and extradited. His alias, Yan Shiliu, remains a mystery.

These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online and the importance of vigilance. It is crucial to be cautious of unsolicited offers and to thoroughly research any opportunity before committing.