Nineteen Filipinos, identified as human trafficking victims, were among 24 foreigners arrested by Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) during a raid on a rented villa in Bangkok’s Bang Na district on 29 October.

The raid, conducted around midnight, also led to the arrest of two Singaporeans, two Malaysians, and one Chinese national, according to the Thai Enquirer. Five other Malaysian suspects reportedly fled and are now being pursued by authorities. Two of the arrested individuals were found without legal documents, while others had overstayed their visas.

Philippine Embassy police attaché Col. Dominador Matalang said the Filipinos had crossed through Myawaddy, Myanmar, with their Chinese employer and were allegedly planning to enter Cambodia after scam compounds in the KK Parks area were bombed by the Myanmar military.

The group entered Thailand around 21 October and is currently under the custody of the CIB for further questioning.