Together against cybercrime: Thailand's repatriation offensive

Together against cybercrime: Thailand's repatriation offensive

Important talks took place on November 10, 2025 in Mae Sot, a charming town in Tak Province, between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Indian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Nagesh Singh. The main feature of this meeting was cooperation to repatriate victims of online fraudsters as well as combating accompanying cybercrime. Such meetings are essential, especially given Interpol's Europe-wide warnings about the dramatic increase in human trafficking, which is closely linked to online criminal networks. According to DW, victims are now affected from 66 countries and the situation is classified by experts as a global crisis.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Charnvirakul emphasized the high priority his government attaches to combating online crime. He reported that 197 people had already been brought back to Thailand from fraud centers in Myanmar on November 10th and 270 on November 6th, 2025. This happened thanks to the support of India, for which Charnvirakul also expressed his gratitude. The agreement on more intensive cooperation in the fight against cybercrime and human trafficking is intended to represent a further important step towards protecting citizens.

Human trafficking in online fraud

The issue of human trafficking is not only a local but also an international challenge. A recent Interpol report highlights that victims are often lured into fraud centers with fake job offers, where they are then held in extreme conditions. Many of these centers are located in Southeast Asia, and the number of unreported victims is alarmingly high. As Heise has discovered, the victims not only have to expect physical and mental violence, but in many cases are even forced to commit fraud themselves - be it in the form of investment fraud, love fraud or online gambling. These practices make online fraud centers a double threat to society.

Interestingly, the trend is not just limited to Thailand or Southeast Asia. The structures of these online fraud centers are increasingly spreading to West Africa, Central America and the Middle East. The range of countries from which the victims come covers all continents. Interpol therefore calls for increased international cooperation and communication between the affected countries and with organizations that support the victims.

With cooperation that focuses on both returns and preventive measures, it could be possible to get a better handle on human trafficking and online crime. Prime Minister Charnvirakul and his Indian counterpart have advocated close cooperation, which is why we can hope that these successes will be visible not only in the repatriation of victims, but also in tackling the causes of this modern form of crime.