Key Points
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Traffickers lured 23 South Africans with false job promises, then forced them to work in Myanmar scam centres.
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The victims endured forced labour, physical abuse, and online scams.
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Dirco urges job seekers to use caution and the Travel Smart Application to avoid exploitation.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) confirmed that authorities rescued 23 South Africans from a Myanmar facility where traffickers forced them to work in online scam centres.
This operation is part of a larger rescue mission that freed over 7,000 victims from similar situations in various countries.
Trafficked under false pretenses
Traffickers lured the victims to Thailand with promises of high-paying jobs. These jobs, advertised on social media, included attractive salaries, free accommodation, and travel expenses.
However, once the victims arrived in Thailand, traffickers transported them to Myanmar against their will. There, they faced captivity and forced labour.
Dirco reported that the victims spent over four months in a cybercrime compound. They worked 16-hour shifts, endured strict surveillance, and faced physical abuse if they refused.
The captors denied them medical care and forced them to live in poor conditions. They were given spoiled food and contaminated water.
Forced into scams and exploitation
While in captivity, the traffickers coerced the victims into participating in online scams, targeting people worldwide. These scams led to financial losses on a global scale.
Moreover, the captors kept the victims under constant surveillance and demanded a ransom of R50,000 for their release.
Thanks to a 2023 bilateral agreement between Thailand and South Africa to combat human trafficking, authorities launched the rescue operation.
Dirco, in collaboration with local law enforcement, repatriated the victims. They underwent screening by officials from the Department of Social Development and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) before their return.
A warning to job seekers
Dirco has issued a strong warning to South Africans seeking employment abroad. The department advises caution when responding to job offers, especially those on social media.
Traffickers often exploit these offers to lure victims from Thailand to Myanmar, where they are forced into dangerous, exploitative work in scam centres.
To protect South Africans traveling or living abroad, Dirco recommends using the Travel Smart Application. This platform provides essential support and information.
Furthermore, the department reminds citizens that human traffickers continually adapt their tactics, making it crucial to remain vigilant.
