One Arrested: Hostages Forced into Online Fraud at Chinese Company in Myanmar

The Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau of the police apprehended 36-year-old Buddha Lama from Bansbari in Kathmandu on Sunday. Lama is accused of luring individuals with the promise of lucrative English translator positions at a Chinese company in Thailand, only to subject them to forced labor and online fraud in a Chinese company located in Myawaddy, Myanmar.

Investigations reveal that Lama, along with other accomplices, allegedly duped victims by assuring them a high-paying job, claiming they would work as English translators at a call center. The fraudulent scheme involved promising a monthly salary of 130,000 rupees, along with accommodation and meals. The victims were charged 1 lakh 50 thousand rupees for the supposed job opportunity.

Once in Myanmar, victims were reportedly trained for seven days on methods to attract American and European citizens to invest in Bitcoin online. The operation involved using social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and X to carry out fraudulent activities. If the set goals were not met, victims were allegedly subjected to physical and mental abuse, including beatings and electric shocks.

The victims were confined within the Chinese company’s premises for 18-20 hours a day, purportedly treated as cyber slaves. Security measures, including security guards and CCTV cameras, were employed to prevent their escape. Additionally, it has been revealed that victims were coerced into paying 800,000 rupees to a Myanmar-based company for their return to Nepal, ten months after reaching Myanmar.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Prasad Pangeni informed that the Kathmandu District Court has initiated a human trafficking investigation against Lama, with a deadline of 7 days for the probe. Authorities are actively pursuing other individuals involved in the trafficking ring, with ongoing efforts to locate and apprehend them.