Morocco’s Ambassador to Thailand Abderrahim Rahhaly has said that the Moroccan Embassy in Bangkok is closely observing the status of Moroccan citizens who have fallen victim to human trafficking in Myanmar and is intensifying its efforts to assist them.
The Ambassador told MAP that militia groups in rebel zones near the Thailand-Myanmar border have detained multiple Moroccan nationals lured by fake job offers in e-commerce with high salaries and attractive working conditions. These Moroccans are among a larger group that is comprised of individuals from various countries, including Africa, Asia, and Europe.
According to families and survivors, after having been enticed to meeting spots in Malaysia and Thailand, human trafficking networks allegedly transported the victims to territories controlled by armed rebel factions in Myanmar and forced them to work in secret call centers engaging in cybercrime activities.
Rahhaly noted that “the detained individuals were typically coerced into recruiting others from their home countries for fraudulent schemes, utilizing fake identities and engaging in illicit activities such as investment scams, fake gambling websites, and various forms of online fraud and extortion, and sometimes through platforms for fraud and extortion by violating privacy.”
The Ambassador warned Moroccans to be vigilant with respect to local agents and online job offers. He assured that the Moroccan Embassy is in daily communication with Thai authorities to monitor the situation, gather information on Moroccan victims, and ensure their safety by taking necessary precautions to prevent any harm or reprisals.
The Moroccan embassy is also in touch with the consulates of other countries whose citizens are in the same situation and with regional and international organizations operating in the Asian region, including the International Organization for Migration, he noted.
The Public Prosecutor at the Court of Appeals in Casablanca has initiated an investigation into the detention of the Moroccan citizens.
Some of the victims and their families have filed complaints that have already been heard by Moroccan authorities, unveiling the presence of criminal networks specializing in human trafficking along the Myanmar border regions.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement that it is closely monitoring the judicial police investigations and will take appropriate legal action.