A 19-year-old high school graduate from China, Peng Yuxuan, went missing for nearly two weeks after being lured by a fake job offer and sold into a scam syndicate in Myanmar. His story took a surprising turn when he was eventually released by the scam syndicate’s boss—who believed Peng had a promising future and “shouldn’t be ruined.”
Following the completion of China’s National College Entrance Exam (Gaokao) in June, Peng from Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province, began searching for part-time jobs to earn some pocket money during the summer break. Using a job-hunting app, he was contacted by a woman offering a “high-paying live streamer job.” After about 10 days of back-and-forth communication, Peng agreed. The woman promptly wired him travel expenses and instructed him to head to Lincang, Yunnan.
Once he arrived, Peng boarded a van supposedly arranged for the job—but instead, he was trafficked across the border. Over the course of the next few days, Peng was transported through more than ten different vehicles and eventually sold to a scam syndicate operating in a compound within Myanmar.
According to Peng, he was given a brief rest upon arrival, but was then forced into a four-day training program where he had to memorize scripted scam dialogues.
In an unexpected twist, the syndicate’s manager, upon learning that Peng had recently completed the university entrance examination and had been accepted into university, decided to let him go.
The manager reportedly told Peng that “real business should be done with a conscience” and believed Peng’s future was worth preserving.
The next day, a Myanmar military officer drove Peng to the town of Dangyang. Upon arrival, Peng was advised to seek help from the United Wa State Army. He did so immediately and was eventually able to contact his family.
On July 19, Peng’s father shared the news of his son’s safe return via social media, putting an end to the harrowing ordeal. The case has since gone viral online, sparking intense public discussion about job scams targeting young people.
