500 Indians Flee Myanmar Scam Centers to Thailand: Indian Government Working on Repatriation Efforts

New Delhi: Approximately 500 Indian nationals have crossed into Thailand following a raid on notorious scam centers in Myanmar. Indian authorities are currently collaborating with Thai officials to complete legal processes necessary for their repatriation.

Sources indicate that India is considering deploying an aircraft to Thailand to facilitate the return of these nationals, many of whom were victims of fraudulent operations at Myanmar's KK Park complex.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that nearly 500 Indians are currently in Mae Sot, western Thailand, stating: "The Indian government will send a plane to take them back directly."

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal acknowledged the situation, saying: "We are aware of Indian nationals who have been detained by Thai authorities. They had crossed into Thailand from Myanmar over the past few days. Our Mission in Thailand is working closely with Thai authorities to verify their nationality and to repatriate them, after necessary legal formalities are completed in Thailand."

Reports suggest that these Indian nationals are among more than 1,500 people from 28 countries who fled Myanmar following the crackdown on scam centers involved in transnational cyber fraud schemes.

According to a UN report released in May, hundreds of trafficked individuals from various nationalities were forced to participate in fraudulent activities at these centers. Similar operations have been identified in Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

The Indian group reportedly includes both victims of these scam operations and individuals who were involved in running them.

Previously in March, India had successfully repatriated 549 nationals who had been freed from cyber scam centers along the Myanmar-Thailand border.