BANGKOK -- A Myanmar ethnic armed group has asked Thailand to ignore demands by the military regime and to bypass usual immigration processes to facilitate the repatriation of some 600 foreign scam center workers.

The nations have coordinated efforts over the past month to shut down the scam centers that bilked victims around the world out of billions of dollars.

Myanmar handed over 300 Chinese scam centre workers to be repatriated through Thailand on Friday, as authorities intensify a crackdown on the illegal operations.

It comes amid a major crackdown on the abusive industry that started during COVID Thailand is preparing to receive thousands of people rescued from scam call centers in Myanmar as the country launches a major crackdown on the pervasive criminal activity across its border.

Around 7,000 rescued workers are waiting to be moved across the border to Thailand, says Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra. View on euronews

A crackdown on Myanmar’s scam hubs has freed 10,000 workers, but concerns remain over the sustainability of the efforts against powerful crime syndicates.