According to families searching for missing relatives, they are being targeted by scammers who use contact numbers posted on social media appeals to demand money
On August 2nd, a tenth-grade schoolgirl from Khalaung Inn Ward in Zin Kyike Town disappeared on her way to school. While her family has been conducting searches on their own and appealing for help through social media, they received extortion calls.
Unidentified men contacted the family, claiming they found the missing girl. They demanded advance payments to prevent her from being handed over to others.
“Because we posted our phone numbers online to ask for help, they called us saying they found my daughter,” one family member recounted. “They asked for 700,000 kyat. When I said we couldn’t pay, they told me to send 300,000 first. I asked if I could speak with my daughter before transferring money, but they refused and told me to come to the market in Mawlamyine after sending the money.”
The family reported the calls to authorities, who confirmed they were fraudulent.
Similar cases are being reported in other communities. According to local news outlets,
a family in Launglon Township, Tanintharyi Region, faced extortion in June, after posting online appeals for help finding a missing person.
Community aid workers in Mawlamyine warned that as the number of missing person announcements on social media increases, scammers are exploiting the situation for financial gain.
“It’s inhumane to take advantage of grieving parents who are desperately looking for their children, these fraudsters invent excuses to demand money. Families must be cautious, not trust easily, and verify carefully before taking any action.” noted one community worker.
In some cases, scammers are even using AI technology to create fake photos of missing individuals, in order to enhance their claims.
Residents expressed concern that while missing persons cases continue to rise across Mon State, junta authorities and police have so far provided little assistance to affected families.
