The Security Bureau (SB) has always attached great importance to cases where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. Since the second quarter of 2024, there have been signs of a resurgence in the situation where Hong Kong residents are suspected of being lured to Southeast Asian countries and detained to engage in illegal work. In view of recent developments, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (January 17) raised the Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) level for Myanmar (south-eastern regions) to red, while maintaining an amber OTA for the rest of the country.
A Government spokesman said, "Residents who plan to visit south-eastern regions of Myanmar, including Myawaddy district, Hpapun district, Hpa-An district and Kawkareik district should adjust their travel plans and avoid non-essential travel there. For those who are already there, they should monitor the situation, exercise caution and attend to personal safety."
Moreover, the SB has already updated the OTA webpage regarding supplementary information for Cambodia with a view to reminding residents to exercise caution and beware of overseas job scams.
The SB will continue to closely monitor the situation in Myanmar and Cambodia. Any updates will be issued through the media, the Bureau's mobile app and the OTA webpage (www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota). The Immigration Department (ImmD) will continue to maintain close contact with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR and the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions there to follow up relevant cases.
Hong Kong residents in Myanmar and Cambodia who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD Mobile Application, send message to the 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline, submit the Online Assistance Request Form, or contact the Chinese Embassy there (consular protection hotline in Myanmar: (95) 943209657; consular protection hotline in Cambodia: (855) 023210206).
​Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service (www.gov.hk/roti) of the ImmD to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong. The information provided allows the ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means, including SMS on mobile phones, on a timely basis when necessary.
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