A key suspect involved in human trafficking and telecom fraud, including a case connected to Chinese actor Wang Xing, has been arrested and sent to China. The Ministry of Public Security in Beijing confirmed the arrest in a statement posted on Sunday.
The man, identified as Yan Wenlei, a Chinese national, arrived in China on Saturday night following coordinated efforts by the Ministry, the Chinese embassy in Thailand, and Thai law enforcement.
Although the location of Yan’s arrest wasn’t disclosed, the authorities mentioned that his apprehension is part of ongoing investigations.
Over the past month, Yan, who goes by the social media name “Yan Shiliu,” had been recruiting actors, models, and crew for work in Thailand, as reported by the Ministry. Wang Xing, a 22-year-old actor, responded to one of these ads and contacted Yan, who had posed as an associate director.
Wang flew to Thailand expecting to join a film shoot but was soon trafficked across the border into Myanmar, where he was held at “Apollo” park and other scam hubs in Myawaddy, a city infamous for its role in online fraud. Wang’s disappearance sparked a public outcry after his girlfriend posted about it on social media, leading to widespread attention. Wang was later rescued and brought back to China.
In a statement, the Ministry emphasized its commitment to investigating and apprehending criminals linked to such cross-border crimes.
Yan’s arrest follows a successful joint operation by Chinese and Thai authorities earlier this month that resulted in the detention of 12 members of the crime ring suspected of trafficking victims for telecom fraud.
Wang’s case has shed light on the increasing number of individuals, including models and engineers, who have been kidnapped or trafficked in similar schemes. The issue has led to growing concerns over safety, particularly in Myanmar’s border regions, and sparked calls for better international cooperation to tackle the crime wave.
The Chinese government has urged relevant countries to take stronger actions to prevent telecom fraud and human trafficking. As Thailand faces mounting pressure to address the issue, the country’s tourism industry is working to reassure Chinese visitors about safety.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges of transnational crime, with significant impacts on both individuals and the broader tourism sector.
