Key suspect in fraud cases preying on Chinese citizens on Thailand-Myanmar border returned to China

A key suspect surnamed Yan, who is involved in multiple cases of Chinese citizens recently being deceived to the Thailand-Myanmar border, where they were illegally detained and forced to engage in telecom and internet fraud schemes, was apprehended and brought back to China on Saturday evening, thanks to the efforts of a working group from the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, and with the assistance of Thai law enforcement agencies, Chinese state broadcaster reported on Sunday.

At present, the public security organs are doing their utmost to investigate the related cases, according to CCTV.

The latest development came after a human trafficking case involving Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was deceived into a scam and subsequently trapped on the Thailand-Myanmar border, which caused wide public concern in both China and Thailand. He was then rescued and returned to Shanghai by plane. 

According to the CCTV report, multiple Chinese citizens have recently been victims of fraud near the Thailand-Myanmar border, where they were illegally detained and forced to engage in telecom and internet fraud schemes, drawing widespread social attention. China’s MPS attached great importance to the matter, swiftly deploying local police authorities to fully engage in personnel rescue and case investigation, while also sending working groups abroad to handle the situation. 

An official from the MPS said that the police will launch vigorous crackdown with greater determination and efforts, further deepening international law enforcement cooperation, and strengthening coordination with relevant countries to apprehend criminal suspects, fully coordinate the rescue of people who have been trapped, and minimize the opportunities for cross-border criminal activities, while resolutely protecting the personal safety and property of Chinese citizens, according to CCTV.

The public security authorities also reminded the public to remain vigilant, and strengthen their safety precautions. People should not trust dubious offers such as high-paying overseas jobs, in order to avoid falling into criminal traps, the authorities said.