Hong Kong has created a task force to track down and help trafficked residents reportedly lured to countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos on false promises of high-paying jobs, and then held against their will and forced to work. The report has caused fresh outrage in Hong Kong and Taiwan recently after the press published graphic photos and videos of victims being threatened and abused. Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk said that their top priority at the moment is to secure the safe return of the victims, adding that the city will work with Chinese embassies and local law enforcement. Cheuk urged the public to exercise caution when travelling to Southeast Asia, and to avoid the northern and southern parts of Myanmar. Human rights lawyer Patricia Ho said that Hong Kong’s existing laws were insufficient to tackle such scams.
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