Over 200 Filipinos seek repatriation from Myanmar scam hubs

Metro Manila, Philippines - More than 200 Filipinos have requested repatriation assistance from the government after being recruited to work in scam hubs in Myanmar, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a statement released Sunday, Oct. 26, the DFA said it is monitoring the situation in Myawaddy, a town close to the border with Thailand, following military operations in scam hub compounds.

Based on media reports, over 1,000 foreigners fled Myanmar into Thailand as the Myanmar military raided the Chinese-backed KK Park, a notorious cybercrime compound.

As of Oct. 24, the Philippine Embassy in Yangon received 222 active requests for repatriation.

Of the number, 66 individuals have crossed to Thailand while nine traveled to Yangon and are now under the embassy’s custody.

“The Embassy is working with Myanmar authorities to finalize the deportation procedures for those currently in holding camps and to facilitate the rescue of those who remain in scam hub compounds,” the DFA said.

The DFA said it is working with Myanmar and Thai authorities to expedite the process of repatriation.

Filipinos in scam hubs and their families may also contact the embassy to request aid for repatriation through +959985210993, +959985210998, +959409883434 (Viber), +959985210996, or yangonpe.atn@dfa.gov.ph.

In March, 206 Filipinos returned to the country after being rescued from forcibly working in scam centers in Myanmar. They were recruited through messaging apps WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram as “customer sales representatives” in Myanmar but they were exploited and forced to work as online scammers.