MKsports Tak province, Thailand, on January 7, 2025. Photo: VCG" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-01-09/1b0a0eb5-b13d-46c0-bd77-d4081d09c2f4.jpeg" />

Chinese actor Wang Xing (right) talks with Thai police officers after returning to Thailand in Mae Sot district, Tak province, Thailand, on January 7, 2025. Photo: VCG

Several Chinese nationals, including actor Wang Xing were lured to the Thailand-Myanmar border and became missing and trapped, sparking public concern. China's Ministry of Public Security mobilized several agencies including Chinese embassies and consulates to intensify rescue efforts and advance case investigations, according to the ministry on Friday.

As a result, Wang and several other individuals surnamed Sun, Yang, Wu, Lin, Xu have been rescued and safely returned to China.

Upon investigation, on December 29, 2024, Wang saw an announcement in a WeChat group about filming in Bangkok, Thailand. Wang added the WeChat of the assistant director "Yan Shiliu" based on the announcement and communicated about the filming arrangements in Bangkok. In the early hours of January 3, 2025, Wang arrived at the Bangkok airport and was taken by a vehicle arranged by "Yan Shiliu" to the Thailand-Myanmar border, where he was sent to Myawaddy in Myanmar. Wang was subsequently trafficked to various online fraud parks.

Public security authorities are investigating a human trafficking criminal group based in Myawaddy, Myanmar, which has been luring individuals through fake job postings in WeChat groups since December 2024. The group entices victims by arranging travel to Thailand and then transporting them to Myanmar, where they are sold to online scam operations. Recent multiple cases of missing or trapped individuals abroad are linked to this group.

Chinese and Thai police have jointly arrested 12 suspects connected to this criminal group, with investigations ongoing and efforts underway to apprehend more suspects.

In response to recent reports of individuals going missing or being trapped abroad, the Ministry of Public Security has deployed local public security agencies to comprehensively gather and sort through leads, promptly initiate investigations, and coordinate with relevant departments to rescue the missing or trapped individuals. 

Public security authorities will continue to crackdown on cross-border telecom and internet fraud. They will deepen special operations against such crimes, enhance international law enforcement cooperation, and work tirelessly to dismantle overseas fraud dens, capture the key figures and financial backers of criminal groups, and coordinate the rescue of trapped individuals.

The ministry also reminds the public to stay vigilant, enhance safety precautions, and avoid trusting overseas job offers to prevent falling victim to these criminal schemes.

Global Times