In recent years, numerous reports have surfaced detailing how Taiwanese nationals seeking employment in Thailand have been deceitfully lured and transported by human trafficking rings to scam compounds in Myanmar. There, they are forced to engage in illegal activities such as telecommunications fraud. Those who disobey face severe consequences, including violence, coercion, and unlawful detention, constituting grave violations of their personal freedom.

  President Lai Ching-te addressed this urgent issue in early 2025, expressing deep concern for Taiwanese citizens being defrauded and trapped overseas. Interior Minister Liu Shyh-Fang convened an inter-ministerial meeting in February of the same year, emphasizing the principle of "national safety first." Minister Liu directed all relevant agencies to strengthen collaboration through cross-departmental communication mechanisms and immediately initiate rescue operations, with the full commitment to safeguarding the safety and human rights of Taiwanese citizens.

  The Myanmar government has taken steps to raid fraud syndicates within its territory under increasing international pressure. The relevant agencies in Taiwan also launched inter-ministerial collaboration in late February 2025.The National Police Agency, under the Ministry of the Interior, with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dispatched personnel to Thailand and Myanmar to assess the situation and conduct investigations into cross-border telecommunications fraud and human trafficking cases. Through close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the overseas missions, our dispatched personnel were able to bring back 55 suspects involved in fraud operations and those nationals affected by human trafficking.

  Since the rescue operations involved diplomatic negotiation and judicial investigations upon their return, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and the National Police Agency of the Ministry of the Interior collaborated closely.Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand arranged transportation to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, from where the 55 nationals boarded a flight for a safe return to Taiwan. Subsequently, the National Police Agency will conduct investigations into potential human trafficking offenses.Based on the evidence in each case, individuals will be referred to the Taiwan Taipei District Prosecutors Office and the Taiwan Shilin District Prosecutors Office for further investigation. In particular, Among the returnees 25 people were involved in other criminal cases wanted by Taiwanese judicial authorities.For other criminal offenses and will be processed according to legal procedures, with investigations to determine any involvement in other illegal activities.

  In recent years, fraud syndicates often use fraud talks such as “high salary, low requirement, and short-term overseas work” on social networking platforms to propagate false recruiting advertisement (such as purchasing amulets and boutique, gold trafficking, applying for dummy accounts, or earning commissions for loan applications) In reality, these schemes are designed to lure individuals abroad and traffic them to scam compounds for illegal activities.  In the fight against human trafficking operation, the National Police Agency under the Ministry of the Interior has significantly intensified its investigation and crackdown efforts since the beginning of this year, aiming to prevent similar cases from occurring. The major outcome of the recent raiding of such unlawful actions is summarized as follows:
 

  The National Police Agency reiterates its call for Taiwanese citizens to exercise heightened vigilance and refrain from readily believing online job postings or high-salary positions in Southeast Asia recommended by unfamiliar individuals. The nationals should proactively verify the authenticity of the job offer and avoid falling into the trap of job seeking.Anyone with doubts or concerns can call the 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline or visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for “Information on Overseas Traps Section.” This section compiles information on related cases and provides the emergency contact numbers for all Taipei Representative Offices overseas and the numbers of emergency contact centers in Taiwan (0800-085-095) to help citizens obtain necessary assistance promptly.