Eleven Bangladeshis trapped in a cyber scam centre in Myanmar’s Karen state have been rescued by a local armed group.
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| The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army has rescued 11 Bangladeshis held in a cyber scam centre in Myanmar, with efforts underway to bring them home. Image: ChicHue |
Dhaka, Bangladesh — February 23, 2025:
Eleven Bangladeshis held in a cyber scam centre in Myanmar’s Karen state have been rescued by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), a local armed group controlling the area.
The scam centre was reportedly operated by Chinese criminal syndicates. Jonayed Hossain Parvez, a 28-year-old Bangladeshi who escaped from the same facility last October, confirmed the rescue from Thailand.
“The DKBA has rescued them and is keeping them in their camp. We are eagerly waiting for their return via Thailand,” he said.
The rescued individuals have been identified as Simon Hosen Abir, Uzzal Hossain, Tanbir Akhand Rafi, Shah Alam, Tuanoor Khalilullah, Omar Faruque, Ismail Hossain, Mehdi Hasan Shanto, Rashedul Islam Rifat, Kaisar Hossain, and Alif Imran.
Jonayed said previous rescue efforts had failed due to a lack of precise information. “I learnt of their latest location from another victim who was recently rescued. I then contacted the DKBA through local journalists in Thailand,” he explained.
In January, Bangladeshi police arrested a broker from Cumilla, accused of luring Jonayed and three of his friends before selling them to the scam centre via Thailand.
Mostafizur Rahman, an assistant superintendent at the Criminal Investigation Department’s Human Trafficking Unit, said two other victims had previously been rescued and repatriated. “We have contacted the Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok, and they are working to bring the rescued victims home as soon as possible,” he told Daily Sun.
On February 12, the DKBA handed over 260 foreign victims of human trafficking—forced to work in Myanmar—to Thai security officials in the Phop Phra district of Thailand’s Tak province.