"A small-time Chinese actor had gone missing for two days in Thailand when his girlfriend turned to the internet for help.
"We have no choice but to seek the help of the internet to amplify our voices," Wang Xing's girlfriend wrote on the Chinese social media platform Weibo on 5 January.
The appeal gained traction after being shared by notable Chinese celebrities, such as singer Lay Zhang and actor Qin Lan.
Wang, 31, captured his country's attention and that of its government.
On 7 January, Wang was rescued from a scam center across the border in Myanmar—a development met with a sense of relief.
However, the abrupt yet enigmatic rescue sparked inquiries into the fate of those still trapped in such scam centers, shedding light on the dark realm of criminal enterprises ensnaring hundreds of thousands and coercing them into cybercrime.
Concerned families of Chinese nationals possibly held in these facilities initiated a petition urging the government to intervene. The online petition, initially with 174 reported cases, has now surged to over 600 cases and is rising.
Wang informed authorities that approximately 50 other Chinese nationals were held captive in the same location as he was.
"We anxiously await news on the fate of the other Chinese nationals who were with him," reads a top-comment on Weibo.
Wang vanished on 3 January in Mae Sot, a Thai city on the border that has become a hub for human trafficking into Myanmar.
He had traveled to Bangkok for an acting opportunity presented to him on WeChat by someone claiming to represent a prominent Thai entertainment company, as indicated by Thai police.
In retrospect, the actor recalled participating in a shoot in Thailand circa 2018 and failed to notice anything amiss. Subsequently, he was whisked away to Myanmar, where he underwent grooming—head shaved—and training on fraudulent phone practices.
His girlfriend highlighted on Weibo that both she and Wang's brother attempted to locate him and involve the police, yielding little progress. Chinese authorities had yet to register a case, while the Chinese embassy in Thailand advised Wang's family to engage the Mae Sot police.
As discussions around Wang's disappearance escalated on Chinese social media, authorities eventually took action. The case was officially filed, and the embassy emphasized its significance to the media.
The subsequent day, Thai and Chinese authorities announced the successful rescue of Wang. During his first appearance post-rescue, he remained reticent, allowing officials to elucidate the circumstances.
Details regarding the rescue operation have been scarce, with authorities refraining from disclosing the exact scam center involved, amid conflicting narratives.
A source familiar with rescues from such centers, opting for anonymity, suggested that limited disclosure could have been part of the terms for his release, as these establishments seek to operate discreetly. Consequently, it was preferable to free Wang to avoid jeopardizing the overall operation due to increased scrutiny from his disappearance.
Beijing harbored intentions to quell discussions surrounding Wang's case, aiming for its citizens to perceive that sufficient action had been taken and that scam centers along the border no longer posed a threat.
In a collaborative effort back in 2023, China and ethnic insurgent factions endeavored to dismantle scam centers in Myanmar's Shan State. Despite these initiatives, field reports from NGOs and independent rescuers indicate a growth in scam activities, expanding into more remote regions.
Currently, the region bordering Thailand stands as the primary hub for international scams in Myanmar, capitalizing on alliances with the various armed groups vying for dominance
The influx of new scam facilities south of Myawaddy near the Thai border has brought attention to severe cases of forced labor and other violations.
This situation has placed substantial pressure on Thailand, which heavily relies on tourism, particularly from China.
Wang's case prompted Chinese individuals to question the safety of traveling to Thailand, implying a potential decline in tourism to Southeast Asia following the incident.
While Wang's rescue marks a triumph for Thai authorities and a victory for Beijing, it fails to conclude the discourse on scam centers.
Recently, excerpts from an interview of Wang went viral on Weibo: "actor Wang Xing claims he could not eat much food in Myanmar and did not have time to use the toilet."
His brief disappearance unveiled the pervasive risks, prompting others in the Chinese entertainment industry to recount their encounters with scammers offering job prospects in Thailand.
Subsequent reports suggest Thai police are investigating another case of a Chinese model who disappeared at the Thai-Myanmar border after being promised work in Thailand.
The China Federation of Radio and Television Association expressed concern over numerous actors being lured abroad under false pretenses of film shoots, resulting in severe personal and financial repercussions.
The statement emphasized the urgency of rescuing Wang, mirroring the narrative of the protagonists in the 2023 film "No More Bets," who were saved after falling victim to scam centers.
Wang, akin to the film characters, emerges as a fortunate exception amid the plight endured by hundreds of thousands from China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore ensnared in extensive scam operations with bleak prospects for liberation.
With the Lunar New Year approaching and an influx of Chinese tourists expected to visit Thailand, the Thai government asserts its status as a secure destination. Thai authorities affirm no local involvement in Wang's trafficking.
Fresh from his ordeal, Wang harbors no reservations about revisiting Thailand, as shared by a police officer with reporters on Wednesday.
In fact, Wang has pledged to return."