Student Released From Myanmar Scam Compound 'Cos Gang Leader Felt He Had “Bright Future”

Remember the Malaysian man who was released from a Myanmar scam compound because he didn’t know how to use computers?

Well, another victim also had a compelling reason for getting set free. 

Peng Yuxuan, a 19-year-old student from Hanzhong City in Shaanxi province, was unexpectedly released from a scam compound in Myanmar after the gang leader learnt that the former had taken the gao kao aka China's national college entrance exams.

It is unclear how the gang boss knew about Yuxuan’s academic background, exam scores, or intended university.

In an interview with Chinese media, Yuxuan says the gang boss told him, “You have a bright future and do not belong here”.

“He [also] told me they make money with a conscience, study hard, and be good to my parents,” added Yuxuan.

Who knew scam gang leaders had such a conscience?

Before his release, Yuxuan said he was made to memorise scam scripts during four days of training though he was never forced to carry out any actual scams.

It was revealed that he had travelled to Xi’an to earn some money during his summer vacation but ended up being lured to a scam ring by a woman he met on a job-hunting app.

She claimed to be recruiting live streamers, even praising his looks, and promised that he could earn a fortune.

The woman offered to cover his travel expenses and flew him out to Yunnan province.

He kept in contact with a friend, insisting he was safe, often sharing pictures of his meals and location, and asked that she not tell his parents.

However, Yuxuan went silent on July 4 after sharing his final location from Meng’a Port, the border crossing in Pu’er city in southwestern Yunnan near the Myanmar border.

What Yuxuan did not tell his friend was that during this time, he had been transferred more than 10 times before ending up in a scam compound in Myanmar.

In a separate interview, Yuxuan’s mum said she tried contacting him and said that a stranger claiming to be from Myanmar picked up.

Terrified, she quickly contacted the police, who traced the call to a scam compound in Mong La, confirming her worst fears.

After Yuxuan’s release, he said a Myanmar soldier drove him roughly six hours to Danyang and advised him to seek help from the local authorities.

While Yuxuan’s experience has drawn sympathy, many netizens remain sceptical, refusing to believe the gang leader was such a kind soul.

“Are we supposed to thank the scam boss now?” read a comment.

“It is just a PR move to downplay public backlash” retorted another netizen, while another surmised, “Yuxuan was lucky in an unlucky situation. That gang boss was not acting out of kindness. They were simply trying to make their crimes look less serious”.

Photos:  Hongxing News, QQ.com, noodu.com