BANGKOK, Feb. 20 -- China has started repatriating over 1,000 of its nationals who were involved in online scam operations in eastern Myanmar. The workers were recently rescued and transferred across the border into Thailand before being flown back to China on chartered flights.

Authorities from Thailand, China, and Myanmar have been collaborating for weeks to dismantle these scam centres, which have defrauded people globally of billions through fraudulent investment schemes, fake romantic relationships, and illegal gambling activities, AP reports.

It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of individuals, including many who were misled into accepting jobs under false pretences, have been exploited in similar operations across Myanmar, ...