Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu vowed on Tuesday to make every effort to rescue a dozen Hong Kong residents who were reportedly detained by telecom fraud scammers in Southeast Asian countries.
Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will also consider whether to update the Amber Outbound Travel Alert for Thailand depending on the situation.
Lee made the remarks two days after members of a dedicated task force from the Security Bureau flew to Thailand to follow up on cases of residents who are believed to have been detained by scammers to do illegal work.
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The current Amber Outbound Travel Alert for Thailand warns of potential threats, reminding Hong Kong residents to monitor the situation and exercise caution.
The Security Bureau will announce any travel alert update on its website and mobile app, Lee said, urging residents to stay informed.
Lee emphasized the SAR government’s deep concern regarding the recent increase in telecom fraud scams in Southeast Asia that victimize Hong Kong residents and reaffirmed its commitment to rescuing the victims.
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In 2024, 28 Hong Kong residents reported falling victim to these scams, and 16 of them were able to flee from their captors and return to Hong Kong.
Among the remaining 12 victims, some reported restrictions on their freedom of movement. However, they confirmed that they were safe and were able to communicate with their families and the task force.
Victims caught in such scams are frequently enticed with appealing job offers, only to later find themselves stripped of their passports and coerced into involuntary labor, such as telecom fraud and online casinos.
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Lee said that the task force that went to Thailand has been in contact with Thai authorities and has received assistance from the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok. He said that the task force will utilize various law enforcement agencies, such as Interpol and networks combating cross-border crimes like drug trafficking.
To assist residents who are believed to have been kidnapped for employment in telecom fraud facilities in Southeast Asia, members of a dedicated task force from the Security Bureau flew to Thailand on Sunday evening. The team is headed by Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip and includes personnel from the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department.
