Security Bureau confirms 21 Hongkongers still being held captive

The Security Bureau confirmed that 21 Hongkongers were still being held captive in Southeast Asia after apparently falling prey to job scams. 

Authorities said they received reports of one more Hong Kong citizen being held captive in Southeast Asia on Wednesday, taking the total number of residents conned into traveling to the area in employment frauds or romance scams to 39.  

Eighteen of them have confirmed their safety, with 12 of them already returned to the city. However, 21 were still being held against their will, with 10 in Myanmar and 11 in Cambodia, according to the bureau.  

Government officials have said earlier that if Hongkongers needed help while abroad, they could either call the Immigration Department’s hotline on 1868 or use the department’s smartphone app.  

Branches of Hope - a local NGO advocating for victims of trafficking, said they received two requests for help from the alleged victims.  

The group said both victims were kidnapped and taken to Myanmar after they traveled to Thailand. One was released after his family members paid a ransom, while the other was still held in Myanmar.  

One of the victims also slammed authorities’ support as unreasonable - with the victims required to fill in a form online or upload photos before authorities could provide help.

Read more: Scam victim flies home as sixth arrest made