Taiwan Fights to Free Nationals Trapped in Myanmar Fraud Schemes

MOFA Strives to Rescue 235 Taiwanese Citizens Exploited in Myanmar's Telecom Scams

Taipei, March 23 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Taiwan is actively working to secure the release of approximately 235 Taiwanese nationals currently trapped in Myanmar and forced to work for fraudulent operations, following the successful repatriation of 203 citizens.

Lin Hung-hsun (林宏勳), Deputy Head of the MOFA Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, revealed on Friday that the Taiwanese government has issued repeated warnings to its citizens, urging increased vigilance due to the prevalence of reports about individuals being coerced into working for telecom fraud rings.

Since 2022, MOFA and its office in Myanmar have been inundated with calls for assistance from Taiwanese citizens and their families. These individuals were lured to Myanmar with the promise of lucrative employment opportunities, only to be compelled to engage in fraudulent activities, according to Lin.

MOFA has handled requests for assistance from a total of 438 Taiwanese nationals stranded in Myanmar. To date, 203 have been safely returned to Taiwan.

Lin explained that the rescue efforts are complicated by the location of the "fraud hubs," which are situated near the Myanmar-Thailand border, in regions controlled by armed rebel groups. Establishing contact with these groups poses a significant challenge for diplomats.

Consequently, MOFA is collaborating closely with international NGOs and ethnic Chinese community groups in Myanmar. This collaboration aims to gather information on the Taiwanese individuals forced to work in the fraud centers and to facilitate their escape.

Lin indicated that these fraud hubs are primarily managed and staffed by Chinese nationals. Additionally, individuals from Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, and Japan are also among those forced to work for these criminal organizations.