Eleven Bangladeshi nationals, previously held captive in a cyber scam centre in Myanmar’s Karen state, have been rescued by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), a local armed group controlling the area. The operation took place in the early hours of Sunday, targeting a facility allegedly operated by Chinese criminal syndicates.

Jonayed Hossain Parvez, a 28-year-old Bangladeshi who escaped from the same centre in October last year, confirmed the rescue to Daily Sun from Thailand. “The DKBA has rescued them and is keeping them in their camp. We are eagerly waiting for their return via Thailand,” Parvez said in a phone interview.

The rescued individuals have been identified as Simon Hosen Abir, Uzzal Hossain, Tanbir Akhand Rafi, Shah Alam, Tuanoor Khalilullah, Omar Faruque, Ismail Hossain, Mehdi Hasan Shanto, Rashedul Islam Rifat, Kaisar Hossain, and Alif Imran.

Parvez revealed that earlier rescue attempts had failed due to a lack of precise information. “I learned of their latest location from another victim who was rescued a few days ago and then contacted the DKBA through local journalists in Thailand,” he explained.

In January, Bangladeshi police arrested a broker from Cumilla accused of trafficking Parvez and three of his friends, later selling them to the scam operators in Myanmar via Thailand.

Assistant Superintendent Mostafizur Rahman from the Criminal Investigation Department’s Human Trafficking Unit confirmed that two other victims had previously been rescued and repatriated. “We are in contact with the Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok, and efforts are underway to bring the rescued individuals home as soon as possible,” Rahman told Daily Sun.

On February 12, the DKBA also handed over 260 foreign victims of human trafficking—forced to work in scam centres—to Thai security officials in Phop Phra district of Thailand’s Tak province.
 

BOB Post