Bangkok, Thailand - India is set to repatriate approximately 500 of its citizens from Thailand following a series of raids on scam hubs along the border with Myanmar.

According to Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the crackdown has led to a significant influx of individuals fleeing across the frontier river into Mae Sot in search of refuge.

The scam centers, particularly notorious ones like KK Park, have been thriving in the loosely governed areas along Myanmar's border due to its civil war, triggered by the 2021 coup.

These fraudulent operations often target people with romance and business scams, exploiting individuals worldwide through the internet.

In response to recent raids on these scam centers, over 1,500 people from 28 different countries have crossed into Thailand since the start of the crackdown at KK Park.

This has prompted India to arrange for a special flight to return nearly 500 Indian nationals back home.

The situation is further complicated by the involvement of Myanmar's military junta and its affiliates in these scam operations, which generate significant revenue crucial for their fight against rebels.

However, pressure from countries affected by scams, including China, has forced Myanmar to take action.

In February, around 7,000 workers were repatriated, and Thailand implemented an internet blockade to curb the activities of these fraud factories.

While many individuals working at these centers claim they were trafficked into the scam operations, others willingly join in pursuit of attractive salary offers.

The distinction between victims and perpetrators remains unclear, with no official statement from the Indian embassy or the Thai government clarifying their status.

This ongoing conflict highlights the complexities of transnational crime and the challenges faced by neighboring countries like India and Thailand in addressing these issues effectively.