Fourteen South Africans in their early 20s, lured overseas with promises of IT jobs in Thailand, are currently detained in the Southeast Asian country and are scheduled to be deported back home, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) confirmed on Monday.
DIRCO spokesperson Chrispin Phiri told media that the group would soon be repatriated. The young individuals were allegedly recruited by a South African man who advertised lucrative positions in the information technology sector.
However, upon arrival in Thailand, their experiences took a dark turn. Reports indicate that some were coerced into participating in online scamming operations, while others were reportedly deployed to military-related roles, potentially linked to conflict zones near the Thai-Myanmar border.
Family members have expressed grave concern for the detainees’ well-being. One relative, speaking anonymously, claimed the group is being held in harsh conditions: denied any form of communication with the outside world, subjected to physical assaults, fed only once a day with substandard food, and provided with unclean drinking water.
This incident is part of a broader wave of human trafficking targeting South Africans and other nationals, often through fake job offers in tech or call centers. Victims are typically trafficked via Thailand before being moved to scam compounds in Myanmar, where organized crime networks force them into cyber-fraud or other exploitative activities.
South African authorities have been actively involved in similar cases throughout 2025, including the successful repatriation of dozens of citizens from Myanmar earlier in the year. DIRCO continues to work with Thai officials to facilitate the safe return of the 14 detainees.
The department has urged South Africans to exercise extreme caution with overseas job offers, particularly those advertised on social media, and to verify opportunities through official channels.