Plight of SA citizens caught in Thailand trafficking job scam

Criminal operation allegedy orchestrated by Chinese mafia network

- GCWALISILE KHANYILE

CLOSE to 200 South Africans are currently stranded in Thailand, having fallen victim to a human trafficking scheme.

They were lured by the promise of well-paying jobs, advertised through social media and word-of-mouth. This criminal operation is allegedly orchestrated by a Chinese mafia network.

The job scams target young South Africans who are fluent in English, computer literate, and have marketing or IT qualifications. They are promised good salaries, free accommodation, comprehensive travel expenses, and other lucrative benefits. When victims/targets accept the offer, they are given a one-way ticket to Thailand before being trafficked to Myanmar and forced to work in illegal online scamming compounds operated by Chinese mafia networks.

Emma van der Walt, founder and chief executive of Brave to Love SA, a counter-human trafficking NGO, stated that her organisation worked alongside the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), Hawks, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Home Affairs & Immigration Services, and Interpol to bring back the human trafficking victims.

The South Africans stuck in Thailand were rescued from Myanmar, at the same time as the group of 23 human trafficking victims, repatriated to the country in March 2025. However, the large group remains in Southeast Asia because they don't have the means to purchase plane tickets.