Bangkok: The Mirror Foundation has unveiled alarming data indicating that over 119 individuals have vanished from their homes, only to be deceived into becoming scammers in neighboring countries. This development has been identified as a new form of human trafficking.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Kanokwan Poolperm, Deputy Director of the Mirror Foundation's Missing Persons Information Center, submitted a letter to Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwpaen, Deputy Inspector-General of the Royal Thai Police. The letter was directed to the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Public Relations for the Prevention of Technology-Related Crimes, following the discovery of information on missing persons enticed into transnational crimes associated with scammers, money mules, and modern human trafficking. Throughout 2025, the Foundation received over 119 reports of individuals misled into crossing borders by scammers. These included tasks such as opening money mule accounts, operating call centers, and fraudulent investment schemes. The average age of these individuals was 26, comprising 73 men and 46 women, along with 18 minors under 18 years old, the youngest being 15 and the oldest 65.
Despite the Cambodian border closure, Thai nationals are still being deceived into working abroad. Once across the border, they find themselves confined in enclosed areas, complicating escape efforts. Those refusing to work under these conditions may face unsafe environments, relocation, or forced labor. This situation is described as a form of modern-day human trafficking, a "gray channel" that controls freedom in subtle ways to perpetrate illegal activities and deceive others. Currently, 25 missing persons remain unaccounted for in Thailand, awaiting assistance.
A letter was submitted today to the subcommittee to investigate the case of a 16-year-old girl lured into an online job but ended up working for a scammer in a neighboring country. The girl's mother recounted discovering an online job posting for a factory position in Sa Kaeo Province. Her daughter, along with her 22-year-old boyfriend, took the job in June 2015. Subsequently, the girl sought help, revealing she had been duped into working in Cambodia. Her mother reported her missing at the Pak Kret Police Station in Nonthaburi Province and informed the Mirror Foundation. The girl's last communication indicated that her return to Thailand would require a 60,000 baht ransom.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong assured that the Royal Thai Police would collaborate with Cambodian authorities to implement an Action Plan, following discussions with Royal Thai Police representatives. They will expedite coordination based on the Mirror Foundation's information to facilitate the swift return of the victims to Thailand.