Security Bureau officials will lead members of a dedicated task force of Police and the Immigration Department to Thailand today to follow up on cases of Hong Kong residents allegedly lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work.
 
The bureau made the announcement and explained that the dedicated task force was established to co-ordinate action by the relevant law enforcement agencies given that it attaches great importance to cases where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work.
 
It added that in view of recent developments, the task force will further follow up on the request for assistance cases.
 
Since the second quarter of 2024, there have been signs of a resurgence of Hong Kong residents suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to undertake illegal work, the bureau pointed out.
 
Law enforcement agencies have so far received 28 requests for assistance in relation to Hong Kong residents alleged to have been detained in Southeast Asian countries and unable to leave.

Among them, 16 have returned to Hong Kong. While the remaining 12 cases reported restrictions on their movement, the bureau stated that they are safe and able to contact their families or the task force.
 
The dedicated task force will meet officials of the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, representatives of the Ministry of Justice of Thailand sitting on the Anti Trafficking-in-Persons Committee chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand, as well as the Thai authorities to exchange intelligence and ask the relevant authorities to assist as much as they can in the rescue of such assistance seekers.