With the joint efforts of all parties, Chinese citizen Zhong has been rescued. The Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Thailand once again reminds our compatriots to be vigilant against the trap of “high-paying jobs” overseas. Foreign citizens working in Thailand must obtain corresponding permits.
Previous report: A model in Guangzhou was deceived by her former boss and illegally detained in Myanmar. Her relatives have called the police. Wang Xing’s girlfriend spoke for her: Be vigilant even if introduced by acquaintances
A model in Guangzhou was deceived by her former boss and illegally detained in Myanmar. This article sorts out the ins and outs of the incident
Deception and exit (June 8-9, 2025)
Zhong Haobin, a 23-year-old part-time model in Guangzhou (just graduated from college), received an invitation from his “former cooperative boss” to go to Thailand on the pretext of “shooting a magazine cover”.
At 23:33 on June 8, he took flight FD531 from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Thailand; arrived at Thailand’s Don Muang Airport at 02:12 on June 9.
At 03:15 in the morning, he took a Toyota private car with license plate number “ขฉ3726 อุดรธานี” at Gate 6 of the airport and was taken to Tak Province, Thailand (the border between Thailand and Myanmar), and then lost contact. The booked hotel (B Your Home Hotel) did not stay.
Loss of contact and help (June 10-13)
June 10: Zhong Haobin abnormally called his mother and urgently asked for “100 yuan of phone bills”, saying “no signal, no network”, and then hung up (family members thought his attitude was abnormal because his father had just passed away and he was usually very concerned about his family’s emotions).
June 13: Zhong Haobin contacted his sister through video, with a frightened expression and vague words, revealing that he was “deceived to Myanmar”, but did not specify the specific location. He said that he was deceived by “the boss he had worked with before” and reminded his family to “take good care of his mother.”
Family members’ actions and police filing a case (mid-to-late June)
Ms. Zhong, the elder sister, immediately reported the case to the Guangzhou Panyu police and the Bangkok police.
June 26: The Guangzhou Public Security Bureau Panyu District Branch formally filed an investigation for “illegal detention” (the case filing notice has been made public).
Family members went to Thailand to seek help from the police and the Chinese embassies in Thailand and Myanmar. The Thai police confirmed that Zhong Haobin was taken to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Official response and progress (early July)
Embassy intervention: The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar expressed its high attention and coordinated with relevant Myanmar departments to investigate and deal with the case.
Rescue report (July 4): The Chinese Embassy in Thailand confirmed that Zhong Haobin had been successfully rescued with the efforts of many parties.
Main focus
Fraudulent methods upgraded
Acquaintances: Fraudsters disguised themselves as “former cooperative bosses” and used past trust to forge “high-level job invitations”.
Transnational black industry chain: victims transit from Thailand to Myanmar (Tak Province is only 95 kilometers away from Myawaddy fraud zone), and may be forced to participate in fraud or extort ransom.
Family and public response
Family dilemma: Zhong Haobin’s father died in a car accident in April, and he is the family’s economic pillar; his mother is on the verge of physical and mental collapse.
Public figure warning: actor Wang Xing’s girlfriend (@失眠爹地) combined with Wang Xing’s similar experience, posted a Weibo on July 3 to call for vigilance against summer job hunting traps, and put forward 5 suggestions:
Reject verbal promises, and a legal visa is required for overseas work;
Be wary of introductions from acquaintances, and verify information from multiple sources;
Keep your whereabouts transparent and keep in touch with relatives and friends in real time;
Do not hand over your passport to others;
Seek help in time if you notice anything unusual.
Difficulties in law enforcement and transnational cooperation
The case was filed but the investigation was blocked: The Chinese and Thai police jointly investigated the vehicles and routes involved in the case, but due to the political turmoil in Myanmar, the efficiency of transnational cooperation was low.
Limitations of anti-fraud propaganda: Although the Wang Xing case and other cases have attracted attention, the target groups (such as students and freelancers) are still susceptible to the temptation of “high-paying opportunities”.
Social reflection and reminder
Risk groups: Students, minors and fresh graduates in the peak period of summer job hunting need to strengthen their precautions.
Embassy warning: The Chinese Embassy in Thailand reiterates its vigilance against the trap of “high-paying jobs” overseas, and foreign citizens must obtain permission to work in Thailand.
