The government said that a dedicated task force will set off for Thailand on Sunday to investigate reports of Hong Kong residents allegedly lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work.

The task force comprises officials from the Security Bureau, as well as police and the Immigration Department.

The group has a hectic schedule in the days ahead. Apart from meeting with officials from the Chinese embassy in Bangkok, they will also talk to Ministry of Justice representatives on an anti-human trafficking committee chaired by the Thai prime minister.

The SAR officials will also exchange intelligence with their Thai counterparts, and request the relevant authorities to assist in rescuing those seeking assistance.

The Security Bureau said it attaches great importance to such cases, pointing to the establishment of the dedicated task force in August 2022.

It noted a resurgence of these cases since the second quarter of last year.

"To date, law enforcement agencies received a total of 28 requests for assistance in relation to Hong Kong residents alleging to be detained in Southeast Asian countries and unable to leave," a statement read.

"Among them, 16 have already returned to Hong Kong. The remaining 12 cases reported restrictions on their movement but were still safe and able to contact their families or the task force."

In response to media enquiries, the bureau revealed on Saturday it had recently received an assistance request from the family of an SAR resident.

The woman, in her twenties, was reportedly detained in a Southeast Asian country.

It said the case had since been taken up by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, and the local Chinese Embassy.

The relevant parities provided advice and all feasible help based on the family’s wishes, and it is understood the woman has returned to the SAR.

The Security Bureau called on the public to be vigilant against online job advertisements which are too good to be true - either those which claim to offer quick money, or highly-paid positions which do not require any work experience or academic qualification.