WEB DESK: Hundreds of young men from Pakistan are trapped in online scam centres in a seedy Myanmar border town, where they are forced to work in cybercrime sweatshops to swindle tens of billions of dollars from victims worldwide.
Scam centres have sprung up in Myanmar’s lawless border areas in recent years as part of a criminal industry worth billions of dollars a year.
Thousands of foreign workers staff the centres, trawling social media for victims to fleece, often through romance or investment cons.
Report revealed that several highly-educated Pakistani youths were lured by fake online recruitment advertisements promising lucrative jobs in Thailand.
She briefed Deputy Senate Chairman Syedaal Khan Nasir, who was on a visit to Thailand, on the matter and apprised him of the difficulties in recovering the hostages due to financial constraints.
Expressing grave concerns over the matter, the Senate deputy chairman said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has a clear policy that no Pakistani abroad should be there illegally, and if anyone got stuck there, they should be brought back respectfully.
He assured that he would bring the matter to the knowledge of the prime minister and the foreign minister, expressing hope that the government would take the matter seriously and provide all possible assistance to the Pakistani embassy.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani community living in Thailand is also playing an important role in helping the stranded citizens.
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and other organizations are providing food, accommodation and other facilities to Pakistanis coming from Myanmar.
Until their return is arranged, all their expenses are being borne by the Pakistani community living in Thailand.
The Pakistani ambassador and Senate deputy chairman appreciated the spirit of these Pakistanis and thanked them
