12-1-2025 (HONG KONG) In response to a growing number of Hong Kong citizens being ensnared in fraudulent employment schemes across Southeast Asia, the Security Bureau announced today it will dispatch an emergency task force to Thailand to address the mounting crisis.
The announcement comes amid heightened concerns following the high-profile case of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was recently held against his will in Myanmar after an initial journey to Thailand, sparking widespread alarm among Hong Kong residents.
According to official figures released by the Security Bureau, authorities have documented 28 cases since April 2024 involving Hong Kong citizens who report being lured to Southeast Asian countries and subsequently trapped in situations of forced labour or illegal activities. While 16 victims have successfully returned to Hong Kong, 12 individuals remain in various locations across the region.
Officials confirmed that the remaining victims, though facing restrictions on their movements, are currently safe and maintain regular contact with their families and Hong Kong authorities. The task force, scheduled to depart Sunday afternoon, will work closely with Thai authorities and other regional partners to secure their safe return.
A senior Security Bureau official, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasised the sophisticated nature of these criminal operations. “These syndicates often use lucrative job offers or romantic relationships to entice victims,” the official explained. “Once abroad, victims frequently find themselves stripped of their travel documents and forced into illegal activities, particularly in the cyber-scam industry.”
