Over 5,000 people trapped in Myanmar scam centres near Thai border, rights group says

Over 5,300 people remain trapped in Myanmar’s scam centres near the Thai border, according to a rights group. Coverage highlights the intersection of modern slavery and organized crime, with reports linking these operations to broader drug trafficking networks in the region. Major outlets—including *Reuters*, *Al Jazeera*, *The Hindu*, *AsiaNews*, and *AML Intelligence*—emphasize the scale of exploitation and the systemic nature of the problem.

The Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) report cited by *The Hindu* underscores how human trafficking fuels cyber scam hubs across Southeast Asia. *AsiaNews* notes that the same criminal groups behind scams are increasingly involved in drug trafficking, blurring lines between different forms of organized crime. Authorities and rights groups are likely to escalate pressure on cross-border cooperation, particularly between Myanmar and Thailand. Watch for potential crackdowns on trafficking routes, as well as deeper investigations into how these scam operations launder money.

The focus may also shift to victim rescue efforts, given the confirmed scale of forced labor in these centres.