Three Moroccans released after paying ransom to human traffickers in Myanmar

Three Moroccans have returned home after being freed by a human trafficking ring in Myanmar in exchange for ransom. The families of the three victims each paid 100,000 Dhs to guarantee their freedom. This brings the number of Moroccan citizens released to around 20, out of more than 100 detained in camps in Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries, according to Al 3omk.

Victims were first lured by the promise of high-paying e-commerce jobs in Thailand, but were taken to rebel areas in Myanmar to work in cybercrime call centers. On May 15, Morocco's ambassador to Thailand, Abdelrahim Rahali, informed MAP that the Moroccan embassy is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of kidnapped Moroccan citizens and prevent any reprisals. Rahali stressed that the embassy in Bangkok was closely monitoring the situation and intensifying its efforts to help the victims.

The Moroccan embassy maintains daily contact with the Thai authorities to monitor the situation and collect information relating to Moroccan nationals. The victims are among several thousand people of various nationalities, including African, Asian and European countries. Some victims managed to escape from the camp, described as a place of open-air exploitation and torture, where Chinese mafia militias operate with impunity.