HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government raised travel alert for southeastern Myanmar to red on Friday, following a number of cases of Hong Kong residents being lured to Southeast Asian countries and forced to work at scam farms.

Of the government's three-tier outward travel alert system, red is the middle level, meaning that there is a significant threat involved in travelling to the place and that people should avoid making non-essential trips.

The heightened alert came a day after a 25-year-old Hong Kong resident who had been detained in a Myanmar scam farm returned home safely on Thursday.

READ MORE: Another HK victim held in SE Asia 'scam farm' returns home safely

He was among 12 people whom the SAR authorities confirmed were being stranded in similar scam operations. To date, 17 of the 28 residents — who were lured to Southeast Asia in 2024 and held against their will — have returned home.

According to the city’s Security Bureau, there have been signs of a resurgence in the situation where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work since the second quarter of 2024.

In its alert, the bureau urged people to avoid non-essential travel to Myanmar’s southeastern regions, including Myawaddy, Hpapun, Hpa-An, and Kawkareik districts, while keeping the alert level at amber for other parts of the country.

Amber, meaning there are signs of threat and requires exercising caution, is the primary level of the alert system while black, the highest alert, signifies severe threat.

EXPLAINER: Southeast Asian job scams

“For those who are already there, they should monitor the situation, exercise caution and attend to personal safety,” reads the alert notification. On Thursday, relatives of the trapped residents met with Security Bureau officials for operational updates. Thanking the authorities for their immediate response, they called for continued assistance in helping victims reunite with their families in Hong Kong before the Chinese New Year on Jan 29.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung on Thursday met with the Thailand consul general in Hong Kong, Chaturont Chaiyakam to discuss plans to rescue the still stranded Hong Kong residents. He thanked Thai authorities for their assistance in rescuing the SAR’s job scam victims.

ALSO READ: Woman held for allegedly luring HK residents to SE Asian scam farm

The Security Bureau asked Hong Kong residents in Myanmar and Cambodia requiring assistance may call the 24-hour Immigration Department hotline (852) 1868 or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD Mobile Application, send message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline.

They can also contact the Chinese Embassy (consular protection hotline in Myanmar: (95) 943209657; consular protection hotline in Cambodia: (855) 023210206).