Indonesian Man Details His Traumatic Experience in Myanmar Scam Center

Robiin, an Indonesian man, was trapped in a Myanmar scam center for 18 months after responding to a fraudulent job ad. He was forced to work under severe conditions and witnessed extreme violence, leading to the death of a fellow captive. His ordeal ended when Myanmar authorities raided the facility.

Robiin, an Indonesian man, endured a harrowing 18-month ordeal in a scam center in Myanmar. His experience began when he responded to a job advertisement for a human resources position in Thailand, only to be forcibly taken to a scam factory known as KK Park after arriving in Bangkok. Here, he was coerced into posing as a Korean woman for online scams, collecting contact information from potential victims.

In recounting his experience, Robiin described severe mistreatment at KK Park, where he and fellow captives were subjected to brutal beatings when their work did not meet expectations. “When we reported the day’s results, they would look at them one by one, saying they weren’t good enough,” he stated, highlighting the harsh conditions endured by the workers.

The facility was guarded by individuals believed to be members of an armed ethnic minority group in Myanmar, collaborating with Chinese gangsters who ran the scam operation. These guards were vigilant, detaining anyone attempting to escape and returning them to captivity.

Robiin’s nightmare came to an end in February when Myanmar authorities raided the compound, freeing the captives. Reflecting on his time there, he expressed profound despair, saying, “I felt like my brain wasn’t working. It was as if I was dead but still alive, and alive but unable to do anything, like a dead person. I had no hope for my life.”

Throughout his ordeal, Robiin witnessed extreme violence, including the beating of a Pakistani man who he later learned had died from his injuries. This experience underscores the grave dangers faced by individuals lured into such scams.

Robiin’s experience illuminates the dark reality of forced labor in scam centers in Myanmar. His story demonstrates the brutal treatment victims endure while being exploited for fraudulent activities. The involvement of local armed groups and foreign gangs further complicates the situation, posing serious challenges for authorities and potential victims alike.

Original Source: www3.nhk.or.jp