THE Cyber Police said most of the 260 scam workers who have been screened are victims with only two to three having volunteered to work for the call-centre criminals rather just one of them being trafficked as earlier stated, Amarin TV said today (Feb. 17).
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwphan, head of the Technology Crime Suppression Division police, said 50 cyber policemen are working with frontline agencies in collecting information on criminal activities of these call-centre gangs. They are also checking information on mobile phones and other electronic devices of the 260 scam workers who crossed over from Myanmar’s Myawaddy township to Phop Phra district of Tak province.
The cyber police team went through National Referral Mechanism (NRM), which is a framework for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery, with this data indicating that that a large number of them were deceived to work at the scam hubs, which may be considered human trafficking, with only two to three people having volunteered to do so.
This differs from what was originally reported and Cyber Police apologises for this error.
The mistake stemmed from a difference in the data first obtained and what was later collected from mobile phones.
The collected evidence includes 107 IMEI numbers (International Mobile Station Equipment Identity which is a 15- digit number that identifies a phone) and data stored in 35 phones of those who crossed back. This data will be thoroughly examined and analysed to find the pattern of deception and collect evidence to prosecute the call-centre gangs and others involved on additional charges.
As for the 260 scam workers who were released, according to immigration law if they are found to be victims they will be exempted from prosecution on some charges but those who volunteered to work for the call-centre gangs will face full legal action.
CAPTION:
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwphan talking to the press today, Feb. 17, 2025. Photo: Amarin TV
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