China, Thailand, and several other nations have reached an agreement to coordinate efforts against cybercrime hubs operating actively in Southeast Asia. These measures aim to combat criminal organizations responsible for stealing millions of dollars from citizens and undermining the region’s tourism industry.
Representatives from China, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam convened in Kunming, where they announced the continuation of law enforcement operations that have already resulted in the arrest of over 70,000 suspects, according to Global Times. Authorities also plan to intensify efforts to apprehend the leaders of illicit networks involved in forcing thousands into exploitative labor.
According to a statement from the Chinese embassy in Myanmar, a coalition will be established to target fraud and serial criminal enterprises. A key focus will be rescuing individuals trapped in captivity due to the activities of these syndicates.
The longstanding issue of fraudulent call centers gained heightened attention after reports surfaced that Chinese actor Wang Xing had allegedly fallen victim to such a scheme and was coerced into working at one of these facilities. This incident sparked widespread outrage on Chinese social media, prompting increased scrutiny from authorities in Beijing and Bangkok. Although Wang Xing was eventually located, the case dealt a significant blow to Thailand’s reputation as a tourist destination, just weeks before China’s major holiday season.
