Chinese TV Star Wang Xing Kidnapped and Forced to Work in Myanmar Scam Center
A Chinese television actor was kidnapped and forced to work in a Myanmar scam center after being lured to Thailand with false promises of a TV production opportunity.
Asian man sitting at desk
Wang Xing (stage name Xingxing), known for his roles in Chinese TV dramas, was found by Myanmar authorities on January 7, three days after his family reported him missing. He had traveled to Mae Sot, a Thai border town, where instead of meeting TV producers, he was forcibly taken across the border into Myanmar.
According to Wang's testimony to Thai police, he was taken to a large complex where his head was shaved and he was forced to work in a scam call center targeting Chinese citizens. He reported seeing approximately 50 other workers of various nationalities, all with shaved heads, held against their will in the facility.
Police believe Wang was taken to Myawaddy, a Myanmar border town known for its unregulated casinos and fraud operations. The area is controlled by the Myanmar Border Guard Force, a militia group that maintains autonomy while nominally supporting the military junta.
The region hosts several controversial Chinese gambling developments, including Yatai New City (established by wanted gambling operator She Zhijiang) and Saixigang Industrial Zone (connected to former 14K triad leader Wan Kuok-koi). These areas are known hotspots for human trafficking and scam operations.
The case gained significant attention on Chinese social media after Wang's girlfriend posted about his disappearance. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra addressed the incident, stating the government is working to minimize its impact on Thailand's tourism reputation.
The exact circumstances of Wang's escape from his captors remain unclear, though police have confirmed that evidence from his phone communications supports his account of events.