Thousands trafficked to cyberfraud hubs in Myanmar

Tens of thousands of individuals from various countries have been trafficked to cyberfraud centers in Myanmar, where they are forced to scam victims or face severe punishment. One such victim, a 27-year-old Ethiopian named Fisher, was lured by a job advertisement promising a lucrative salary. After selling his family's farmland to afford a ticket to Bangkok, he was transported to Myanmar, where he was coerced into working as a scammer. Fisher described brutal treatment, including electric shocks and physical abuse, for failing to meet scam quotas. He worked 18-hour shifts, primarily targeting victims in countries like Iraq and Turkey, while surviving on minimal food. After eight months of exploitation, he was rescued during a series of raids that freed many other victims. Now in a military camp in Thailand, Fisher faces the grim reality of returning to Ethiopia without any earnings, feeling that his family's sacrifice was in vain.

- Thousands are trafficked to Myanmar for cyberfraud operations.

- Victims endure severe abuse, including torture and electric shocks.

- Workers are forced to meet high scam quotas under threat of punishment.

- Many victims are from diverse countries, including Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Malaysia.

- Rescued individuals face uncertain futures, often without resources to return home.