MANILA — The Philippine government has issued an urgent plea to foreign authorities for assistance in rescuing Filipinos trapped in illegal call centers, commonly referred to as “scam centers,” across mainland Southeast Asia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
Growing Concern Over Scam Centers
These illicit operations, prevalent in countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, exploit vulnerable individuals by luring them with false job offers, only to force them into participating in online fraud schemes. The DFA has reported receiving ongoing accounts of Filipino human trafficking victims trapped in these scam hubs, where they are coerced into activities such as romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, fake investment platforms, online gambling, phishing, and impersonation scams.
“In response, the DFA works with its Foreign Service Posts, especially in Mainland Southeast Asia (Thailand, Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Cambodia), to persistently devote efforts and resources in extending all possible assistance to our Filipinos in distress, while requesting the authorities of the host countries for their invaluable cooperation,” the DFA stated.
While the agency has not disclosed specific figures regarding the number of affected Filipinos or the volume of reports received, it has reaffirmed its commitment to the rescue and repatriation of all Filipino trafficking victims involved in these illegal operations.
Scale of the Problem
The cyberscam industry has proliferated across Southeast Asia, particularly in border regions, creating a significant human trafficking crisis. According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) published in April 2025, more than 220,000 individuals from around the world are currently trapped in scam centers in Cambodia and Myanmar alone. These operations are estimated to generate approximately $40 billion annually through various fraudulent schemes. The UNODC highlights the global nature of the issue, with victims from numerous countries, including the Philippines, being trafficked to these regions.
The plight of Filipinos in these scam centers gained significant attention earlier this year when at least 200 were rescued from a scam hub located in an office complex in Myawaddy, near the Myanmar-Thailand border, in late February and March 2025. This operation underscored the severity of the issue and the challenges of coordinating international rescues.
Government Efforts and International Cooperation
The DFA is actively collaborating with its Foreign Service Posts in the affected countries to provide assistance to distressed Filipinos. The agency is also seeking the cooperation of host country authorities to facilitate rescue operations and ensure the safe repatriation of victims. The Philippine government has emphasized its commitment to addressing this crisis, with ongoing efforts to locate and free those trapped in these illegal operations.
To aid in these efforts, the DFA has provided contact information for relatives who may have verified information about Filipinos trapped in scam hubs, particularly in the vicinity of the Myanmar-Thailand border. They are encouraged to reach out to the Philippine Embassy in Yangon through the Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) hotline at +95 998 521 0991 or via email at yangonpe.atn@dfa.gov.ph. Alternatively, they can contact the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok at the ATN hotline +66 81989 7116 or via email at bangkok.pe@dfa.gov.ph.
Preventive Measures and Public Advisory
To prevent further victimization, the DFA has urged Filipinos planning to work overseas to adhere to proper deployment procedures established by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and other relevant agencies. These procedures are designed to verify the legitimacy of job offers and ensure safe migration for employment abroad.
“We call on all our kababayans, including our Filipino communities abroad, to support all efforts to prevent all modes of recruitment and victimization of our Filipino nationals in schemes that lead to forced criminality and participation in scamming operations,” the DFA stated.
The agency also emphasized the importance of public cooperation in reporting suspected cases of trafficking and illegal recruitment. Hannah Lizette Manalili, executive director of the Inter-agency Council Against Trafficking, recently called on Southeast Asian countries to enhance regional information sharing and take stronger measures to combat the rise of trafficking linked to scam centers.
Regional Context and Challenges
The proliferation of scam centers in Southeast Asia has been a growing concern for several years, with operations often intertwined with illicit economies in countries like Cambodia and Myanmar. These centers exploit young, tech-savvy individuals who are lured with promises of legitimate employment but are instead coerced into criminal activities. The UNODC report notes that the scam industry has expanded rapidly, particularly in border areas, where lax regulation and complex jurisdictional issues pose challenges to enforcement.
Previous rescue operations, such as the one in Myawaddy, demonstrate the potential for successful interventions but also highlight the need for sustained international cooperation. The DFA’s appeal underscores the complexity of addressing this issue, which requires coordination between multiple governments and agencies to dismantle these criminal networks and protect vulnerable populations.
Contact Information for Assistance
The DFA has provided the following contact details for those seeking to report or seek assistance for Filipinos potentially trapped in scam centers:
| Embassy | Hotline | |
|---|---|---|
| Philippine Embassy in Yangon | +95 998 521 0991 | yangonpe.atn@dfa.gov.ph |
| Philippine Embassy in Bangkok | +66 81989 7116 | bangkok.pe@dfa.gov.ph |
