Chinese model lured to Myanmar with scam job rescued after sister raises alarm in Thailand
Myanmar after he was lured with the pretext of an overseas work opportunity last month, according to the Chinese embassy in
Thailand
Advertisement
'The Chinese citizen surnamed Zhong has been rescued under the collaborative efforts of all parties,' the embassy said in a statement on Friday.
'We once again warn Chinese citizens to beware of overseas 'high-paying job' scams. Foreign nationals need proper work permits for employment in Thailand,' it said.
After landing at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok in the early hours on June 9, Zhong, who had travelled to Thailand supposedly to shoot a magazine cover, went missing, state broadcaster CCTV said.
08:49
The Chinese criminal gangs behind Southeast Asia's scam centres
The Chinese criminal gangs behind Southeast Asia's scam centres
The 25-year-old had accepted a job offer from his former employer, who had claimed the work was in Thailand.
Advertisement
On June 13, Zhong made a video call to his sister and said he had been tricked into going to Myanmar.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's arrests over talent scheme scam show need for vigilance
Hong Kong has long been a magnet for the best and brightest from overseas, even more so under the government's ambitious talent trawl in recent years. Regrettably, the much-touted admission scheme has also become an opportunity for scammers to make money. The authorities must stamp out abuses and ensure those recruited can enhance the city's competitiveness. Advertisement In the first crackdown of its kind, the immigration authorities arrested a syndicate allegedly offering applicants a ' one-stop service ' with fake academic qualifications, employment proof and other documents for the Top Talent Pass Scheme. Eighteen people were arrested, including five Hongkongers behind the scam and 13 mainland applicants. The group was believed to have operated for 1½ years and worked on at least 22 applications, with each case potentially costing clients up to HK$2.5 million (US$319,000). The talent scheme has received about 135,000 applications since it was launched in December 2022, with 109,000 approved as of June. The number in connection with the alleged scam is relatively small. But for a recruitment drive of such a wide scale, there is always room for abuse, be it individual acts or well-orchestrated syndicates. The application mechanism has already been strengthened through the requirement for proof of academic qualifications certified by designated third-party credential verification bodies or the awarding institutions. The authorities have rightly pledged to vet every application strictly and step up random checks. Closer collaboration with law enforcement agencies across the border will also help. Last December, local media reported that there were talent agencies on the mainland offering to create fake salaries and other records for those applying for the talent scheme. Officials warned aspirants not to trust such agents, adding that assessment would be strict and there were no loopholes to exploit. Advertisement We hope the latest arrests show the monitoring mechanism is working well, rather than otherwise. The authorities must vigorously check every case to ensure all approvals are worthy ones. At stake is not just the city's image and reputation, but also its manpower and competitiveness.
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Doctor recounts attempt to save Malcolm-Jamal Warner from drowning: ‘no vital signs'
The doctor who tried to save the late Malcolm-Jamal Warner from 'rough' waters in Costa Rica last weekend has broken their silence. The Cosby Show star, 54, died by drowning last Sunday after he and his 8-year-old daughter got caught in a rip tide, the latter of whom was rescued by a bystander. His death was ruled accidental, and the cause was confirmed as asphyxiation by submersion. 'There were very few people on the beach, and the sea was rough,' the holidaying doctor, who requested to remain anonymous, told Us Weekly, adding they were about 200 metres (660 feet) away at the time they heard people crying for help. 'I ran to the area and entered the sea with my surfboard, heading into the rip current toward the person being pointed at by some beachgoers. After a few minutes, I saw a shadow, dove down and pulled the person out.' He spotted another Good Samaritan, who tried to assist 'without any rescue equipment' lying on the shore and trying to breathe. 'Immediately, [first responders] began providing first aid to Malcolm, but he had no vital signs,' the doctor said. 'Two tourists ran over to help. They identified themselves as doctors, making a total of three physicians at the scene.'
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Thai-Cambodia conflict: woman saves cats by braving artillery fire
When the first salvo of Cambodian artillery screamed across her village, Thai seamstress Pornpan Sooksai's thoughts turned to her five beloved cats: Peng, Kung Fu, Cherry, Taro and Batman. 'I suddenly heard a loud bang,' the 46-year-old told said. 'Then our neighbour shouted, 'They've started shooting!' So everyone scrambled to grab their things.' Nearly 140,000 people have been evacuated from the Thai frontier, fleeing with the belongings dearest to them, as the country trades deadly strikes with neighbouring Cambodia for a second day. Pornpan was hanging out laundry in her village in the border district of Phanom Dong Rak, but did not hesitate to corral her quintet of cats – even as the cross-border blasts rang out. 'Luckily, they were still in the house. I put them in crates, loaded everything into the truck, and we got out,' she said at a shelter in nearby Surin City, camping out alongside her fellow evacuees.
