Security minister Chris Tang said on Friday that six more Hongkongers trapped in scam farms in Myanmar have been rescued in a joint operation by the Security Bureau and authorities from the mainland, Thailand and Myanmar.

Tang said the victims - three men and three women aged between 29 and 44 - had been held for five to seven months, after falling for job scams.

He said Myanmar soldiers rescued them overnight and sent them to Thailand, adding that they are in good health.

Five of the victims are scheduled to return to Hong Kong on Friday night, while the remaining person will stay in Thailand for at least one more day to assist with the ongoing probe.

"It was a rescue operation, so we did not pay any ransom," the minister told reporters at the airport after returning from Bangkok.

"25 people, including these six, have returned, or will be returning to Hong Kong. The SAR government will spare no effort to rescue the remaining three people [trapped in Southeast Asia]."

Tang was due to attend an event on Lantau on Thursday, but cancelled it at the last minute.

He said he couldn't announce his trip because of the need to keep the rescue operation under wraps.

The minister also thanked Beijing officials from the Ministries of Public Security and Foreign Affairs, as well as authorities in Myanmar and Thailand for taking part in the mission.
_____________________________
Last updated: 2025-03-07 HKT 21:45