74 Kenyans rescued from Myanmar scam groups
At least 74 Kenyans have been rescued from scam groups in Myanmar in the last few day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.
In a statement on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, the government said the Kenyans had been lured to travel to Myanmar with a promise of jobs Thailand, only to end up in scam groups.
The Kenyans are among hundreds of other foreigners trafficked to Myanmar in 2024 and used forcefully to commit various online crimes including scamming, fraud, identify theft, phishing, romance scams, and cryptocurrency scams.
On February 12, 2025, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) successfully negotiated for the release of 261 foreigners from 18 nationalities; 24 of these being Kenyans.
On February 18, 2025, another group of 46 Kenyans were rescued by the DKBA and Border Guard Force (BGF), days afer four other Kenyans escaped to Thailand on February 8, 2025, and were rescued by Thai civilians before being handed over to security authorities at the border area.
“The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs confirms that on 12th February 2025, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) successfully negotiated for the release of 261 foreigners from 18 nationalities; 24 of these were Kenyans. The release of the Kenyans followed months of delicate negotiations spearheaded by the Kenya Embassy in Thailand in conjunction with various partners in Thailand and Myanmar, ” the statement read in part.
“Today, another group of 46 Kenyans were rescued by the DKBA and Border Guard Force (BGF). The 46 Kenyans will remain in Myanmar territory pending their handing over to the Thai government. They are among hundreds of other foreigners trafficked to Myanmar late last year and used forcefully to commit various online crimes including scamming, fraud, identify theft, phishing, romance scams, and cryptocurrency scams.”
The Ministry says the Kenyans and other nationals were rescued from scam centres located within regions predominantly controlled by rebel groups fighting the Myanmar government, thereby making it difficult for rescue operations.
“The Ministry further confirms that another 4 Kenyans escaped to Thailand on 8th February 2025, and were rescued by Thai civilians before being handed over to security authorities at the border area. The four Kenyans are safe and are being processed by immigration authorities before being repatriated back home,” the statement added.
The government has cautioned Kenyans against traveling to Myanmar for jobs purported to be in Thailand, only to end up in scam compounds in Myanmar.
“Kenyans should be aware that traffickers use Thailand as a trapdoor to lure vulnerable Youth into Myanmar. The Ministry calls upon Kenyans interested in jobs advertised in Thailand to get in touch with the Ministry or the Kenya Embassy in Bangkok to authenticate any such offers before traveling abroad,” the ministry added.
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