What was supposed to be a life-changing opportunity abroad turned into a nightmare for 23 Kenyans, who were lured with promises of well-paying jobs, only to be trafficked to Myanmar and forced to work as scammers in a Chinese-run syndicate.
Tricked and Trapped in a Scam Town
The Kenyans were recruited under false pretenses, believing they were flying to the Middle East for legitimate jobs. However, instead of secure employment, they ended up in Myanmar, where they were compelled to join a sophisticated call scam syndicate.
According to The Bangkok Post, these fraudulent operations targeted global victims through cryptocurrency investment scams. The Kenyans, along with hundreds of other trafficked individuals from various countries, were forced to scam unsuspecting people online.
Escape and Harrowing Journey to Safety
One Kenyan managed to escape the nightmare. In a daring move, the 30-year-old victim fled the scam compound in Myawaddy, a notorious area in Myanmar often referred to as “scam town” due to the high number of cyber fraud syndicates operating there.
He endured a five-hour journey across treacherous terrain, including crossing a mountain and walking more than 10 kilometers to reach the Thai border.
Once in Thailand, the Kenyan limped into a police station in Phop Phra District, where he sought help from a shopkeeper to contact the authorities. He revealed that he was just one of at least 1,000 other victims from multiple nationalities who had been tortured and forced into the scam business.
Brutal Torture for Those Who Refused
The Kenyan recounted how he and two other Kenyans were received at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand before being taken to Mae Sot District in Tak. From there, they were trafficked across the Thai-Myanmar border and handed over to a Chinese scam ring.
When they refused to participate in the scam, they were brutally beaten, with their captors using:
- Stun batons
- Baseball bats
- Other physical assault methods
This torture continued until they agreed to take part in fraudulent activities.
The Kenyan victim also disclosed that Bangladeshi, Cambodian, Ethiopian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan nationals were among those similarly trapped in the scam syndicate.
Rising Cases of Job Scams Targeting Kenyans
This incident is one of many cases where Kenyans, desperate for work, fall prey to fraudulent recruitment agencies. Unscrupulous job placement firms often lure victims with fake overseas opportunities, only for them to end up in forced labor or criminal operations.
On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs issued a warning about:
✔️ Rising cases of visa application fraud
✔️ Fake overseas job opportunities
✔️ Human trafficking linked to employment scams
The ministry emphasized the need for due diligence, urging Kenyans to verify job offers and be cautious before traveling abroad.
A Call for Stricter Regulations and International Action
As cases of human trafficking for cybercrime increase, governments and law enforcement agencies must intensify efforts to:
✔️ Crack down on fraudulent recruitment agencies
✔️ Strengthen international cooperation to combat forced labor scams
✔️ Raise public awareness on job scams abroad
✔️ Rescue victims and offer reintegration support
For now, the fate of the remaining 22 Kenyans remains unknown, and efforts to track them down are urgently needed.
