The Government of Nepal has successfully rescued 14 Nepali citizens who were forced into illegal activities in Myanmar, while 11 others are still reportedly trapped there. The rescued individuals were brought back to Nepal on Wednesday through the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok, Thailand.
According to the embassy, the rescued citizens had been lured to Myanmar under false promises and forced to work in illegal online scamming operations. The rescue was carried out from the Myawaddy region of Myanmar with the cooperation of the concerned authorities in Myanmar and Thailand. They were taken to Mae Sot Immigration Office in Thailand’s Tak Province before being repatriated to Nepal via Nepal Airlines.
The embassy further stated that efforts are ongoing to rescue and repatriate the remaining 11 Nepalis who are still trapped in Myanmar.
It has also been revealed that, since last month, over 2,000 foreign nationals from 28 countries, including 38 Nepalis, were trafficked to Thailand and forced into illegal work at online scamming centers in Myanmar’s Myawaddy area. The embassy is working closely with the Thai government and other concerned agencies to bring those remaining Nepalis home safely.
The embassy has urged all Nepali citizens not to fall prey to false promises of high-paying or easy jobs abroad, particularly in countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. It also reminded the public to obtain official labor approval from the Government of Nepal before going for foreign employment.
Many of those trapped were reportedly taken to Thailand on visit visas and later became victims of illegal human trafficking, the embassy added.
