Yar Rujin, May 28, Muse
A female broker in junta-controlled Muse Township, northern Shan State, on Chinese border, defrauded of 9 million kyats by promising to secure Border Pass books for their entry into China, according to one of the victims.
Khin Myint Aye, a 35-year-old woman from Muse, lured the victims by promising to secure a Border Pass, also known as the Red Book, for them. She took 3 million kyats from each of the women, who are from Hsipaw Township.
Under the junta’s current rules and regulations, the Red Book is valid for one year but can only be obtained by individuals whose national IDs indicate residency in Muse District.
All three women paid 3 million kyats each, aiming to work in Ruili, the Chinese border town next to Muse.
“A Ta’ang woman in Muse contacted them when they were in Hsipaw, urging them to come to Muse. I warned and tried to prevent them from being defrauded by the broker,” a source close to the victims stated.
However, the women didn’t accept her warning and they arrived in Muse on May 12. On May 14, they paid 9 million kyats to the broker for the Border Pass books. Starting May 15, the broker disappeared and has been uncontactable, according to one victim.
“Right on the next day after we gave her the money, she went out in the evening saying she had to buy something. Then at around 8 p.m., we tried calling her, and after another attempt, her phone was off ever since,” she recalled.
Although Red Books, which allow individuals to work in China, are intended only for Muse District residents, brokers frequently defraud people from other parts of the state and country by luring them with promises of securing these Border Pass books.
Translated by #KLT
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