Taiwan recently announced that five Southeast Asian countries—Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos—have been added to its list of high-risk travel destinations due to their role as hubs for fraud syndicates.
According to CNA, this announcement was made by Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior in a press release on Friday. Travelers heading to these countries will receive warnings on their flight tickets and are advised to download the "Travel Safety Guide" app.
The Ministry of the Interior highlighted that since 2012, many Taiwanese citizens have been lured or forced to work in fraud networks in Cambodia. Through interdepartmental cooperation and assistance from international law enforcement, Taiwan has successfully reduced such incidents in recent years.
However, fraud syndicates have now shifted their operations to Myanmar, Laos, and other countries, causing many Taiwanese citizens to become trapped along the Thailand-Myanmar border and within Myanmar.
Taiwan Enhances Protection for Travelers
In response, Taiwan has strengthened preventive measures by issuing broader public warnings. In addition to recommending the use of a travel safety app, the government is collaborating with airlines to print anti-fraud warnings on electronic tickets and distribute information cards at airports.
These efforts aim to reduce fraud cases and protect Taiwanese citizens planning to travel to these countries.
Furthermore, Taiwan continues to strengthen rescue efforts by relying on the Anti-Human Trafficking Act and working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and business associations to rescue victims trapped in fraud networks.
In recent incidents, Myanmar has even released 260 foreign nationals, including seven Taiwanese citizens, from fraud centers operating in the country.
Through these initiatives, Taiwan hopes to prevent more of its citizens from becoming victims of international fraud and to ensure the safety of travelers visiting Southeast Asia.
