Chinese Model Lured by Fake Job, Trafficked to Myanmar: Family Pleads for Urgent Help

A 23-year-old freelance model from China has reportedly become the latest victim of human trafficking, after being deceived into traveling to Myanmar under the false promise of a modeling job.

According to Red Star News, the victim whose identity has not been publicly disclosed was contacted in early June by a former client offering him a magazine cover shoot. Trusting the offer due to their previous collaboration, he accepted without hesitation.

“He trusted this person because they had worked together before,” said Ms. Zhong, the victim’s sister. “He didn’t sense any danger.”

On June 8, he departed from Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou, China, en route to Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. However, shortly after arriving, he vanished without a trace.

The family’s final communication came in the form of a rushed phone call to their mother. The young man urgently requested 100 yuan (approximately $14 USD) to top up his phone credit, claiming he had no signal or internet access. The call ended abruptly, leaving his family deeply unsettled.

“That was the first time he ever asked us to top up his phone it was really suspicious,” Ms. Zhong said. Alarmed, she immediately contacted the police.

Days later, the family received a short video call. In it, the model confirmed that he had been tricked and was now being held in Myanmar. However, he could not reveal his exact location or details of his condition.

His family is now calling on Chinese authorities, international organizations, and the public to assist in bringing him home safely.

This incident adds to the growing number of reports highlighting how criminal syndicates are using fake job offers to lure young people from China into Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar, where they are exploited or forced into illegal activities.