Myanmar Rebels Releases 74 Kenyans Lured Through Scam Employment
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that at least 74 Kenyans have been rescued from a human trafficking organization.
According to the ministry, the Kenyans were lured into security employment in Myanmar but ended up working in scam call centers in areas controlled by rebel groups fighting the Myanmar government.
The first 24 Kenyans were released last Thursday, part of a group of 261 foreigners released after months of negotiations.
“The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs confirms that on 12th February 2025, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) successfully negotiated for the release of 261 foreigners from 18 nationalities; 24 of these were Kenyans.
“The release of the Kenyans followed months of delicate negotiations spearheaded by the Kenya Embassy in Thailand in conjunction with various partners in Thailand and Myanmar,” the ministry said.
STATEMENT ON THE RESCUE AND RELEASE OF 28 KENYANS FROM SCAM COMPOUNDS IN MYANMAR pic.twitter.com/b7oRScL4h1
— State Department for Foreign Affairs | Kenya (@ForeignOfficeKE) February 18, 2025
On Tuesday, February 18, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Border Guard Force (BCF) rescued a second group of 46 Kenyans.
Despite being rescued, they will remain in Myanmar territory until they are handed over to the Thai government.
“They are among hundreds of other foreigners trafficked to Myanmar late last year and used forcefully to commit various online crimes including scamming, fraud, identify theft, phishing, romance scams, and cryptocurrency scams,” the ministry said.
Another four Kenyans fled to Thailand on February 8, 2025, and were rescued by Thai citizens before being handed over to security officials at the border.
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The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs urged Kenyans against flying to Myanmar for jobs that appeared to be in Thailand, only to end up in scam compounds in Myanmar.
It said that the trafficking ring utilizes Thailand to attract vulnerable teenagers into rebel-controlled areas of Myanmar.
“Kenyans should be aware that traffickers use Thailand as a trapdoor to lure vulnerable Youth into Myanmar,” the ministry said.
“The Ministry calls upon Kenyans interested in jobs advertised in Thailand to get in touch with the Ministry or the Kenya Embassy in Bangkok to authenticate any such offers before travelling abroad.”
Myanmar Rebels Releases 74 Kenyans Lured Through Scam Employment
