Photo/Illutration A large number of foreigners forced to participate in fraud operations in Myanmar are handed over to Thailand across a border river on Feb. 12. (Provided by Thai police)

MAE SOT, Thailand--Local police took a 16-year-old Japanese youth into protective custody who they believe was forced to work for a fraud ring operating across the border in Myanmar, a senior official said.

At the request of Japanese authorities, the police are also searching for three other Japanese nationals in connection with the group based in Myawaddy, a town in southeastern Myanmar, the official said Feb. 15.

The youth is believed to be a victim of human trafficking.

Thai authorities estimate that around 7,000 people, mainly from Africa and China, have been trafficked into eastern Myanmar along the border with Thailand to take part in online fraud operations.

Many countries have requested Bangkok to search for their missing nationals.

Myawaddy, separated from Mae Sot by a river, is controlled by an armed ethnic minority group close to Myanmar’s armed forces.

Criminal organizations operate extensively in the border town, which is home to many casinos.

The 16-year-old went missing around December, and his family filed a search request with Thailand through the Japanese Embassy in Bangkok, the senior Thai police official said.

The youth’s location in Myawaddy emerged after he managed to contact his family earlier this month, the official said. He was rescued a few days ago and took a flight back to Japan on Feb. 15.

In January, Thai police took another Japanese teenager into protective custody.

The high school student, 17, was offered the chance to visit Thailand by a Japanese man he became acquainted with through an online game and stayed temporarily in Myawaddy.

The 29-year-old man was arrested by Thai authorities on Feb. 13. 

Thai police announced Feb. 7 they had detained four Japanese for illegally entering Myawaddy and returning to Thailand. They are thought to be involved in fraud operations.

In response to international pressure, the Thai government cracked down on fraud groups by cutting off power supplies and internet connections to Myawaddy and other areas.

Authorities said 260 people from 20 countries and regions, including Ethiopia, the Philippines and China, who were forced to participate in fraud operations were released on Feb. 12.

The Thai government discussed the release of more foreigners with the Myanmar side on Feb. 15 and decided to transport 7,000 people to Thailand in stages from Feb. 17.

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