Kenya Repatriates 119 Nationals from Myanmar Scam Compounds

Kenya has successfully brought home 119 of its citizens rescued from illegal online scam operations in Myanmar, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs confirmed. Efforts are ongoing to return nearly 200 more Kenyans still stranded in the conflict-affected region.

The evacuees were freed following coordinated raids by Myanmar authorities and rebel factions targeting criminal syndicates in remote areas of Karen State near the Thailand border. These compounds were reportedly hubs for sophisticated online fraud, luring workers from Kenya and other countries under false job promises.

“The recent operations led to arrests, camp demolitions, and violent clashes, leaving hundreds of foreign workers abandoned,” the ministry said. Over 200 Kenyans sought refuge in military shelters or crossed into Thailand amid the chaos.

Kenya’s government acted swiftly after receiving an initial list of 126 citizens, coordinating transport, emergency documents, and safe passage in collaboration with Thai authorities and Kenya Airways. A WhatsApp group was also established for real-time updates to relatives.

Upon arrival, all returnees are being interviewed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to support prosecutions of the transnational syndicates behind the scams. Currently, 198 Kenyans remain in the region, including 129 in Myanmar shelters, 66 in Thailand’s Immigration Detention Centre, and three in a safe house in Cambodia.

The ministry cautioned that festive-season border closures have delayed further evacuations. It also warned Kenyans against accepting fraudulent overseas job offers, noting that some of those rescued had previously ignored government warnings and returned to scam operations.

Authorities emphasize vigilance, urging citizens to verify overseas employment opportunities and avoid risky travel, as transnational criminal networks continue to target vulnerable jobseekers.