46 Kenyans rescued from Myanmar scam compounds days after 24 others freed

46 Kenyans have been rescued from Myanmar scam compounds, barely a week after 24 others were freed.

According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the 46 Kenyans were rescued by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and Border Guard Force (BGF).

“The 46 Kenyans will remain in Myanmar territory pending their handing over to the Thai government,” the Ministry said.

Earlier, four Kenyans escaped to Thailand on February 8, 2025 and were rescued by Thai civilians before being handed over to security authorities at the border area.

“The four Kenyans are safe and are being processed by immigration authorities before being repatriated back home,” the Ministry added.

On February 12, 2025 the DKBA negotiated for the release of 261 foreigners from 18 nationalities; 24 of them Kenyans.

The release of the Kenyans followed months of delicate negotiations spearheaded by the Kenya Embassy in Thailand in conjunction with various partners in Thailand and Myanmar.

They are among hundreds of other foreigners trafficked to Myanmar late last year and used forcefully to commit various online crimes including scamming, fraud, identify theft, phishing, romance scams, and crypto currency scams.

 “The Kenyans and other nationals were rescued from scam centres located within regions predominantly controlled by rebel groups fighting the Myanmar government, thereby making it difficult for rescue operations.”

The Ministry cautioned Kenyans against traveling to Myanmar for jobs purported to be in Thailand, only to end up in scam compounds.

“Kenyans should be aware that traffickers use Thailand as a trapdoor to lure vulnerable Youth into Myanmar.”

Kenyans interested in jobs advertised in Thailand have been urged to get in touch with the Ministry or the Kenya Embassy in Bangkok to authenticate any such offers before traveling abroad.

The operations target and defraud their own countrymen through online crimes, representing an industry estimated to be worth billions.