At Least 20 Kenyans Trapped in Myanmar Scam Centres as Human Trafficking Crisis Deepens
At least 20 Kenyans are among thousands of foreign nationals believed to be trapped inside notorious scam compounds operating along Myanmar’s border with Thailand, according to a new report by a human rights organisation.
The alarming revelations were contained in a June 22 letter submitted to Thai authorities by the Civil Society Network for Human Trafficking Victim Assistance (CSNHTV), which warned that more than 5,300 people remain confined in four large compounds located within militia-controlled territories in Myanmar.
According to the organisation, the victims include nationals from several African countries, among them Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The report further estimates that approximately 1,600 Chinese citizens, 200 Myanmar nationals, 20 Thai citizens and hundreds of other foreign nationals are also being held within the facilities.
The compounds, reportedly known as Tai Chang sites, are alleged to be controlled by criminal syndicates involved in large-scale online fraud operations that target victims around the world.
CSNHTV stated that many of those trapped were deceived by fake employment opportunities and trafficked across borders before being forced to participate in sophisticated cybercrime schemes.
“The victims were recruited through promises of lucrative jobs abroad but later found themselves trapped in heavily guarded compounds where they were coerced into carrying out online scams,” the organisation said in its communication to Thai police.
The United Nations has previously estimated that such scam networks generate billions of dollars annually through online fraud, romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes and other forms of cyber-enabled crime.
For Kenya, the crisis has become an increasingly worrying trend. In recent years, dozens of young Kenyans seeking employment overseas have reportedly fallen victim to trafficking networks operating across Southeast Asia.
Data from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs indicates that at least 357 Kenyans either escaped or were rescued from scam compounds in Myanmar between October 2025 and January 2026. Of those rescued, 253 were successfully repatriated back to Kenya.
Despite the rescue efforts, authorities revealed in March that more than 100 Kenyans were still believed to be trapped in the region, while an additional 39 were serving prison sentences in Myanmar over immigration-related offences.
Human rights groups are now calling for urgent intervention by Thai authorities and regional partners to dismantle the remaining compounds and rescue those still being held.
The latest findings suggest that some facilities have continued operating despite previous enforcement operations targeting criminal networks along the Myanmar-Thailand border.
The report comes more than a year after Thailand spearheaded a major regional crackdown that resulted in the liberation of approximately 5,000 people from scam centres in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region.
International efforts have also intensified. In March, the U.S. Department of State announced a reward of up to $10 million (approximately KSh1.3 billion) for information leading to the seizure or recovery of funds linked to money-laundering activities associated with the scam compounds.
However, rights groups warn that large-scale trafficking operations remain active, with victims allegedly being held under armed guard in compounds controlled by powerful militia groups.
As pressure mounts on regional governments, concerns continue to grow over the fate of hundreds of foreign nationals, including Kenyans, who remain trapped inside one of the world’s most notorious human trafficking and cybercrime networks.
Also Read: Matatu Owners Confirm Normal Operations Despite June 25 Demonstrations