TOPIC

Human trafficking

Human trafficking
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Human trafficking. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Victims of scam centres who were tricked or trafficked into working in Myanmar, sit in a compound on the Thailand-Myanmar border in February. Photo: via Reuters
Thailand

Pregnant women among hundreds in limbo at Thai-Myanmar border in scams curb

Thailand is fronting a regional effort to dismantle scam centres along its borders, which are part of a fraud network across multiple countries.

videocam
Trending in China

China dad offers US$1.4 million reward for son’s return, reunites after 24 years

Indonesia

Indonesia to bring home hundreds more scam trafficking victims from Myanmar

videocam
Mainland China

Editorial | Raise alert on risk of Asian cross-border scams

Regional cooperation has been key to securing the release of 25 out of 28 Hongkongers detained in Southeast Asian fraud farms.

The last of the six Hong Kong residents rescued from a scam farm in Myanmar have been returned to the city. Photo: Facebook/Security Bureau
Trending in China

China boss discovers adoption in family row, real sister lives 500 metres away

Adoptive mother reveals truth about 34-year secret in fit of anger, shocked business owner embarks on eventually successful search for real family.

Crime in Hong Kong

Last of 6 Hongkongers recently freed from scam farm in Myanmar returns home

Security Bureau vows to save the three remaining residents on its list in bid to crack down on forced-labour scams in Southeast Asia.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Japan

Japanese sex scouts: trend emerges of women recruited into prostitution

The latest arrest of a senior member of the group Access highlights an extensive industry preying on debt-ridden women.

videocam
Pedestrians walk past an entrance at Kabukicho, Shinjuku in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: EPA-EFE
United States

Andrew Tate and brother under criminal investigation in Florida

The influencer siblings have just returned to the US from Romania, where they faced rape and human trafficking charges.

Indonesia

84 Indonesians trafficked to Myanmar scam centres return home

Thousands of Indonesians have been enticed abroad for better-paying jobs, only to end up in the hands of transnational scam operators.

videocam
The Philippines

More Pogo raids stoke fears about a ‘cottage industry’ of scam activities

Analysts warned that the Philippines might fester a “cottage industry” of crimes linked to offshore gaming operators if authorities cannot eradicate them entirely.

videocam
Security officers stand guard at the gates of a closed online gambling building, the largest Pogo hub in the country, in the town of Kawit, Cavite province, Philippines, in December 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE
Myanmar

Thousands freed as Myanmar scam hubs empty out – but for how long?

A crackdown on Myanmar’s scam hubs has freed 10,000 workers, but concerns remain over the sustainability of the efforts against powerful crime syndicates.

videocam
24
A man escorted by Thai soldiers ahead of flight to China. Photo: Khu Sam
US-China relations

Chinese woman recaptured after escape from Panama hotel holding deportees from US

Panama’s security minister blames ‘human traffickers’ for woman’s brief escape from hotel accommodating detained migrants.

videocam
6
Crime

Chinese court tries Myanmar gang accused of scams, drugs, extortion, murder

The 23 members of the group allegedly played a role in a scheme that caused the deaths of 14 Chinese.

videocam
Crime in Hong Kong

201 suspects investigated in crackdown on gang smuggling people into Hong Kong

Authorities also raided three premises on the mainland where counterfeit Hong Kong ID cards were made.

A criminal syndicate helped mainland residents enter Hong Kong as tourists to work illegally. Photo: Sam Tsang
The Philippines

‘Pogo personalities’ still linger in Philippines despite ban, critics warn

Despite a ban on Pogos, high-profile figures linked to the industry remain, raising concerns about a growing network of criminal syndicates in the Philippines.

videocam
Philippines peso cash on a pile of playing cards in the casino. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Malaysians urge Thailand to ‘do whatever you can’ to get scam victims home

Sister of a scam victim – who was lured to Myanmar under the pretence of a job – says she hopes he can be home for Ramadan at the end of the month.

videocam
Thailand

Video | Thailand shuts power to Myanmar’s scam hub

 Thai prime minister is due to meet President Xi Jinping to discuss the scam crisis  

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Thailand

Thailand shuts power to Myanmar’s scam hub, PM Paetongtarn vows firm action

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is slated to meet President Xi Jinping to discuss issues including the scam crisis.

videocam
14
Thai Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul (centre) speaks on the shutdown of power supplies to alleged scam operations across the Thai-Myanmar border. Photo: EPA-EFE
Sexual harassment and assault

Ex-babysitter sues Sandman author Neil Gaiman for sexual assault

Scarlett Pavlovich also filed lawsuits against Gaiman’s ex-wife, singer Amanda Palmer, who had invited her into the couple’s New Zealand home.

Crime in Hong Kong

Scam farm victim returns to Hong Kong, as officials vow to help 9 others

Woman was found on the Myanmese side of border near Thailand’s Tak province on Sunday.

videocam
Thailand

Woman arrested in Thailand over record US$186 million romance scam

Orathai’s case is linked to an investigation into a senior executive who has allegedly defrauded her company Essilor Manufacturing (Thailand).

videocam
A woman has been arrested at Hat Yai International Airport over her alleged role in a romance scam. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong man, 29, lured to Southeast Asian ‘scam farm’ returns home

Security official will remain in Bangkok to continue efforts to rescue 10 other residents stranded in similar fraud centres in region.

The man (right) held captive at a scam farm since October has returned to Hong Kong. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Hongkonger stuck in Thailand to fly home on Monday after scam farm ordeal

Security chief Chris Tang ‘thankful’ to secure return of 29-year-old in time for Lunar New Year.

videocam
Sexual harassment and assault

Rocker Marilyn Manson won’t be charged after sex assault investigation

Prosecutors say the domestic violence allegations are too old and there is insufficient evidence to prove the assault charges.

Spain

Spanish police break up Chinese trafficking ring

The gang deceived young women, capturing them with the aim of selling them into prostitution in Spain, Greece and the United States.

videocam
Spanish police have broken up a trafficking ring. Photo: Shutterstock
Chinese tourists

Thai PM’s AI video aims to calm Chinese tourists’ nerves as bookings dip

Abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing sent shock waves through Thailand’s tourism industry, which relies heavily on travellers from China.

videocam
8
A tourist takes a selfie during an underwater dragon dance show in Bangkok, Thailand, last Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
Crime in Hong Kong

Electric shocks, physical assault: inside Southeast Asia’s forced labour camps

Recent high-profile rescue of mainland actor Wang Xing has put the plight of thousands trapped in compounds in focus.

8
Crime in Hong Kong

Thailand assures Hongkongers over safety amid forced labour scams

Thai consulate in Hong Kong says country is working with neighbouring countries to clamp down on scam farms.

videocam
7
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement