The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has announced that seventy-four Kenyans have been rescued from a human trafficking syndicate that lured them with promises of security jobs in Myanmar. Instead, they were forced to work in scam call centres operating in territories controlled by rebel groups opposing the Myanmar government.
According to the ministry, the first group of twenty-four Kenyans was freed last week as part of a larger batch of two hundred and sixty-one foreign nationals released after prolonged negotiations.
“The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs confirms that on February 12, 2025, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) successfully negotiated the release of two hundred and sixty-one foreigners from eighteen different nationalities. Among them were twenty-four Kenyans,” the ministry stated.
It further noted that the rescue efforts were a result of diplomatic interventions led by the Kenyan Embassy in Thailand, in collaboration with various partners in both Thailand and Myanmar.
On Tuesday, February 18, a second group of forty-six Kenyans was also freed through the efforts of the DKBA and the Border Guard Force (BCF). However, they remain in Myanmar territory as arrangements are made for their transfer to Thai authorities.
“They are among hundreds of foreigners trafficked to Myanmar last year and forced into online criminal activities, including scamming, fraud, identity theft, phishing, romance scams, and cryptocurrency fraud,” the ministry said.
Additionally, another four Kenyans managed to escape to Thailand on February 8, where they were rescued by local civilians and later handed over to security officials at the border.
The ministry has issued a stern warning to Kenyans seeking overseas job opportunities, urging them to be cautious about offers in Thailand, which often serve as bait to lure unsuspecting individuals into Myanmar.
“Kenyans should be aware that traffickers use Thailand as a trapdoor to lure vulnerable youth into Myanmar,” the ministry cautioned.
It further advised those seeking employment opportunities in Thailand to verify job offers through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs or the Kenyan Embassy in Bangkok before making any travel arrangements.
