Peng after being rescued Photo: Screenshot from media report

The 19-year-old Chinese high school graduate, who was trafficked to a telecom fraud park in Myanmar while seeking summer job opportunities, has been successfully rescued, the Beijing News reported on Saturday. The local judicial department in Myanmar is engaged in final consultations with Chinese authorities over the specific details of the cross-border handover, according to the report.

After completing the national college entrance exam in June, Peng Yuxuan, a high school graduate from Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, planned to earn pocket money through summer jobs, the Beijing News reported, citing his account to officials of the judicial department in Wa State, northern Myanmar.

When Peng was browsing job listings online, a woman contacted him, asserting that his appearance suited livestream hosting and promising a high income after being professionally groomed, said Peng. After over ten days of hesitation, Peng finally agreed to go.

The woman then wired him travel expenses and instructed him to Lincang, Southwest China's Yunnan Province. Upon arrival, Peng was escorted to a border area, Beijing News reported.

Peng's phone location later showed he was at Meng'a Port, a China-Myanmar border crossing in Menglian County, Yunnan Province, on July 4, after which he lost contact, according to a previous report by the Beijing News.

His family reported the case to police authorities in both Yunnan and Peng's hometown Hanzhong in Shaanxi Province, the report said.

After being transferred through more than ten vehicles, Peng said he was ultimately taken to a telecom fraud park.

Peng recalled that beginning on the second day, he was forced to memorize fraud scripts, a process that lasted about four days.

Fortunately, things took a positive turn. Considering Peng's youth, university admission, and promising future, the head in charge of the park told Peng that he should not be trapped.

The head reportedly said, "Doing business requires a clear conscience," so he decided to send Peng back. 

At noon the following day, Peng left the park. A Myanmar soldier drove him to Tangyan township, Myanmar, a journey that took about five to six hours, he said.

Upon arrival, he asked help from Wa State soldiers to assist in his return to China and reestablished contact with his family, according to Peng's recount.

Officials from the judicial department of Wa State has completed the work of filing Peng's information and conducting a preliminary review of the relevant materials. 

They are now engaged in final consultations with the Chinese side regarding the specific details of the cross-border handover.


Global Times