Sechs japanische Staatsangehörige werden möglicherweise von einem chinesischen Verbrechersyndikat in Myanmar festgehalten, während die Unruhen andauern

Amid ongoing instability following a military coup in Myanmar, it has been revealed that six Japanese nationals may be held captive by a Chinese-affiliated criminal organization. They are suspected of being forced to participate in fraudulent activities, such as online scams.

In Myanmar, casinos and other establishments have been built along the borders with China and Thailand, where large Chinese crime organization are believed to be using human trafficking to recruit foreign nationals into online fraud operations. This has raised serious concerns.

A civilian support group for victims published a report last week stating that over 6,000 people from 21 countries and regions—including China, Sri Lanka, and Kenya—have been held captive and subjected to daily violence. The group also indicated that among the victims, six Japanese nationals may be involved.

Jay Kritiya, a member of the civil society network supporting human trafficking victims, said, “We were able to confirm that there are six Japanese victims by contacting others from different countries who were held at the same location. However, due to the danger to their lives, we have been unable to gather further details.”

The victims are believed to have been lured by social media advertisements promising high-paying jobs overseas, only to be sent to Myanmar via countries like Thailand.

The civilian group has called on the governments of the relevant countries to intervene, but the situation remains difficult. The fraud operations are located in areas controlled by armed factions outside the reach of Myanmar’s military government, complicating efforts to rescue the captives.