On Friday, National Police Inspector-General Pol General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot of Thailand met with representatives from 15 countries to strengthen efforts against call-centre scams and human trafficking.

The meeting, which took place at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters, was attended by officials from Brazil, Tanzania, Russia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Laos, India, Morocco, China, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The objective was to enhance international coordination and improve the flow of information to combat the illegal movement of foreign nationals, many of whom have been deceived into working for fraudulent call-centre operations in Thailand’s neighboring countries.

These scams have become a significant issue, particularly in areas like Mae Sot district in Tak province, where foreign nationals often transit.

During the meeting, Thatchai outlined measures to improve border security and communication between embassies and their citizens, including requiring travelers to provide clear details about their travel and itinerary upon entering high-risk areas.

Thatchai emphasized the need for continuous, round-the-clock coordination to prevent nationals from falling victim to these operations.

The meeting also addressed the importance of rescuing individuals trapped in scam networks and discussed the shifting locations of these criminal operations, with reports indicating a decline in activity in the Mae Sot area.

The diplomatic representatives strongly supported the initiatives to enhance cooperation and curb the call-centre scam epidemic, which has been recognized as a global challenge.