Story Of A Chinese Actor Saved By Online Community

A lesser-known Chinese actor went missing in Thailand for two days, prompting his girlfriend to seek assistance online.

On January 5, she posted on Weibo, a popular Chinese social media site, that “We must harness the power of the internet to make our voices heard. “

Her appeal quickly gained traction after being shared by prominent Chinese celebrities, including singer Lay Zhang and actress Qin Lan.

At 31 years old, Wang Xing captured national attention, along with that of the authorities.

On January 7, he was found and rescued from a scam operation located in Myanmar, bringing a wave of relief across the country.

However, the quick yet enigmatic rescue has sparked concerns about the individuals still trapped within these scam facilities. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of criminal enterprises that continue to ensnare countless victims, forcing them into cybercrime.

Families of other Chinese citizens believed to be held captive have initiated a petition urging governmental intervention. The petition is available online for anyone to report their missing loved ones. The number of cases has surged from an initial 174 to over 600 and continues to rise.

Wang informed law enforcement that approximately 50 other Chinese nationals were detained alongside him.

“We are eager to find out if the others who were with him have also been rescued,” expressed one of the most liked comments on Weibo.

“Every life matters.”

On January 3, Wang disappeared in Mae Sot, a city near the Thai border known for being a hotspot for human trafficking into Myanmar.

He had travelled to Bangkok for a role he was offered via WeChat, with the individual claiming to represent a prominent Thai entertainment firm, as reported by Thai authorities.

Wang later shared with reporters that he had participated in a film shoot in Thailand back in 2018 and did not suspect anything amiss this time. However, he was taken away in a vehicle to Myanmar, where he had his head shaved and was coerced into training for conducting phone scams.

His girlfriend posted on Weibo about their attempts, along with his brother, to locate him and involve law enforcement, stating that they had seen “little progress”: the Chinese police had not yet opened a case, and the embassy in Thailand merely suggested that Wang’s family contact the local police in Mae Sot.

As discussions surrounding Wang’s situation intensified on Chinese social media, authorities began to take action. The case was officially registered, and the embassy announced that it was treating the matter with significant seriousness.

The following day, officials from Thailand and China revealed that Wang had been rescued.

During his first public appearance with Thai police, he remained silent primarily while officials provided details about the incident.

Information regarding the specifics of the rescue has been limited. Authorities have not disclosed the particular scam center involved, as various conflicting accounts have emerged.

According to an anonymous source familiar with previous rescues from scam centres, one reason for this lack of transparency may be that withholding information was part of the negotiations for his release.

This source informed the BBC that such centres prefer to stay under the radar. Therefore, releasing Wang was deemed a more prudent choice than jeopardising their entire operation due to the heightened attention his disappearance had generated.

Beijing is eager to put an end to discussions surrounding Wang’s situation, aiming to convince its citizens that it has taken sufficient action and that the scam centres near its borders are no longer a concern.

In 2023, a collaborative effort between China and ethnic insurgent factions aimed to dismantle scam operations in Myanmar’s Shan State.

However, on-the-ground reports from NGOs and independent rescuers shared with the BBC indicate that these scams are still proliferating, with their operations extending into increasingly isolated areas.

Currently, the border region with Thailand has emerged as the primary hub for international scams in Myanmar, leveraging alliances with various armed groups vying for control in the area.

New scam facilities have been established south of Myawaddy, near the Thai border, where reports of severe forced labour and other human rights abuses are now surfacing.

This situation has placed significant strain on Thailand, whose economy significantly depends on tourism, particularly from Chinese visitors.

Wang’s case has sparked concerns among some Chinese about the safety of travelling to Thailand. A popular post on Weibo suggests, “It seems that after the Wang Xing incident, fewer people will choose to visit Southeast Asia, including Thailand.”

While his rescue might be perceived as a success for Thai authorities and a favourable outcome for Beijing, it hasn’t quelled the ongoing dialogue or the scrutiny surrounding scam operations.

On Thursday, excerpts from a recent interview with him gained traction on Weibo: “Wang Xing mentioned he couldn’t eat much food in Myanmar and barely had time to use the restroom.”

The Thai police have emphasised that no Thai nationals were involved in Wang’s trafficking case.

His brief ordeal has revealed how prevalent these dangers have become; others from the Chinese film industry have since recounted their own experiences of being tricked by scammers promising job opportunities in Thailand.

Thai authorities are currently looking into the disappearance of another Chinese model near the Thai-Myanmar border, who was lured to Thailand with job offers.

On Tuesday, the China Federation of Radio and Television Associations released a statement highlighting that numerous actors have been misled by false promises of film opportunities abroad, resulting in severe threats to their safety and financial well-being.

“We are very troubled by this situation,” the statement expressed.

In a post on Weibo, Wang’s girlfriend called for help: “Please rescue [Wang] from danger and bring to life the story of No More Bets,” referring to the film’s characters who were saved after being trafficked into fraudulent operations.

Wang is among a fortunate few who have escaped such dire circumstances.

Countless victims from China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore remain trapped in extensive scam facilities with little chance of escape.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, bringing large numbers of Chinese tourists to Thailand, the Thai government is keen to assert that the country is a safe place to visit. Thai police have also stated that no locals were implicated in Wang’s trafficking case.

Having recently been liberated from his ordeal, Wang reportedly has no concerns about returning to Thailand, according to a police officer who spoke with reporters on Wednesday.

Furthermore, the officer mentioned that Wang had expressed a desire to return.

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