Hong Kong’s recent security task force visit to Thailand highlights the growing threat of high-paying job scams, as local lawmakers express concern over the rising number of missing persons linked to these schemes.
This critical mission follows reports of a spike in pleas for help from families of victims and the rescue of individuals, including a notable case involving a mainland Chinese actor caught in a human trafficking ring.
Led by Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip, the task force departed for Bangkok on Sunday night to collaborate with Thai authorities and the Chinese embassy, including members of Thailand’s anti-human trafficking committee.
Lawmakers emphasize the importance of this initiative, suggesting that complacency may have set in since similar issues were prominent two years ago.
“The government’s proactive approach aims to aid ongoing investigations while reinforcing the message to residents to exercise caution when considering job offers,” said a panel member who assisted victims in previous years.
There is an expectation that the task force will deepen cooperative efforts with the Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok and local government entities, as the ETO alone may lack the resources to effectively address these complex cases.
Another legislator praised the initiative as a significant diplomatic effort, highlighting the need for strengthened anti-scam education to protect more residents from becoming victims of these scams.
Between 2022 and early 2023, reports indicated that 46 Hongkongers sought assistance after being trapped in various compounds in Myanmar and Cambodia, often lured by promises of lucrative job opportunities.
Upon arrival, many victims faced passport confiscation and were sold to criminal syndicates, coerced into working in environments associated with online scams. Some individuals reported that they were guarded by armed personnel, unable to flee.
While 43 of the 46 victims successfully returned to Hong Kong, the other three declined further help post-rescue.
During a pre-trip briefing, Cheuk noted that criminal networks have begun employing sophisticated tactics to attract individuals to Southeast Asia, often misleading them regarding their travel destinations.
He warned that these human trafficking operations were shifting to northern Thailand, near the Myanmar border, urging residents to avoid travel in these perilous areas.
Recent updates show that by early December, 23 individuals reported being trapped in similar Southeast Asian compounds, a number that has since escalated to 28, with 12 still unaccounted for. Notably, those remaining reported conditions that limited their freedom of movement but indicated they were safe and in communication with their families.
