23 South Africans return home after months held captive in Myanmar scam operation

After more than four harrowing months in captivity, 23 South Africans have safely returned home following a rescue mission from Myanmar, where they were victims of a human trafficking operation disguised as a job opportunity.

The group was lured to Southeast Asia with promises of high-paying jobs in Thailand. However, upon arrival, their passports were confiscated, and they were smuggled across the border into Myanmar. There, they were forced to work under brutal conditions in a cybercrime syndicate, where they were made to scam people online and were subjected to physical and psychological abuse.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), working closely with the Border Management Authority and international partners, played a critical role in securing their release and bringing them back to South Africa. The group landed safely on home soil over the weekend and is now receiving support and debriefing as part of their reintegration process.

“These individuals endured unimaginable hardship,” said Clayson Monyela, DIRCO spokesperson. “They were victims of human trafficking, held against their will, and exploited. We are relieved they are back home safely, and we commend the efforts of everyone who helped make this repatriation possible.”

The victims, most of them young adults, were among thousands of people across the globe who have been caught up in sophisticated trafficking networks operating across Southeast Asia. These criminal operations often advertise fake job opportunities online, typically in IT or customer service, and target vulnerable individuals seeking work abroad.

Once recruited, victims are flown to legitimate entry points like Thailand and then transported illegally into areas such as Myanmar’s conflict-ridden border regions, which are known hotspots for organised cybercrime and human trafficking.

Survivors of the ordeal said they were forced to run online scams, including romance fraud and fake investment schemes, under constant surveillance. Refusal to comply or failure to meet “quotas” often resulted in physical punishment, starvation, or even torture.

One of the repatriated South Africans, who asked to remain anonymous, described the experience as “a living nightmare.” “We thought we were going to work legitimate jobs,” he said. “Instead, we ended up prisoners, doing things we never imagined just to survive.”

Authorities are now urging South Africans to be extremely cautious when exploring job offers abroad, especially those that promise quick money or involve paying for travel up front.

“We are seeing a rise in these scams, and traffickers are using increasingly deceptive methods,” said Dr Mike Masiapato, commissioner of the Border Management Authority. “We urge job seekers to verify all overseas opportunities through official channels, and to report any suspicious offers to law enforcement.”

South Africa's government has pledged continued support for the rescued individuals and says it is working to prevent more citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

“This is a wake-up call,” Monyela added. “Human trafficking is real, and it can happen to anyone. Awareness and vigilance are our best defence.”