Taiwan Warns Citizens About Online Scams in Thailand and Other Southeast Asian Countries
Taiwan has officially named Thailand as one of five Southeast Asian destinations where its citizens are at risk of falling victim to online scammers. The other countries included in the warning are Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
According to Taiwan News, the Ministry of the Interior has urged airlines to cooperate by printing a warning on electronic air tickets for flights to these high-risk destinations. The warning advises passengers to download a travel safety application offering tips on how to avoid scams.
Reports have indicated that some Taiwanese nationals have been tricked into working in scam call centers in Myanmar and Cambodia, and seven Taiwanese individuals were among 260 foreigners transferred to Thailand from Myanmar last week.
Pol Maj-Gen Atthasit Sudsa-nguan, deputy commissioner of Thailand’s Cybercrime Investigation Bureau, revealed that many of those transferred to Thailand from Myanmar, including people from African countries, claim they were drugged and smuggled across the border from Mae Sot district in Tak province into Myawaddy township. They were allegedly forced to work in call centers involved in online scams.
He further commented that some of the individuals transferred to Mae Sot from Myawaddy last week have entered the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) to determine if they were genuine victims of human trafficking or willingly involved in the scam operations.
While some individuals from African countries have claimed they were drugged during their journey, Pol Maj-Gen Sudsa-nguan expressed skepticism about the plausibility of such claims. He pointed out that it would be impossible for a sedative to last through the 9-hour journey from Bangkok to Mae Sot, suggesting that these statements may be fabricated in an attempt to avoid legal repercussions if it is proven that they had willingly traveled to Myanmar to work in the scams.
In response to the rising concerns, the Thailand Trade and Economic Office stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of the 35 million foreign tourists visiting the country. Measures have already been put in place, such as cutting electricity and fuel supplies to Myanmar’s border towns to combat the operations of scam centers. The office has also emphasized that it will offer timely support to Taiwanese citizens concerned about safety in Thailand and encouraged travelers to seek more information before their trip.
