Hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked by criminal gangs and forced to work in scam centers and illegal online operations across Southeast Asia.

The political will to crack down on scam centers is greater than ever, but don’t expect the Chinese syndicates to be quashed any time soon, security expert Jason Tower tells The Irrawaddy.

Chinese nationals found in scam centers in Myanmar crossed into Thailand for a second day on Friday (February 21) and were flown home, part of a multinational effort to repatriate hundreds of people caught up in massive internet fraud schemes.

Myanmar handed over 300 Chinese scam centre workers to be repatriated through Thailand on Friday, as authorities intensify a crackdown on the illegal operations.