Transnational crime networks have seized on regional instability and weak border controls to target Chinese nationals in Thailand. Young people, drawn by promises of opportunity, are lured into perilous situations where they may be held for ransom or forced into brutal scam operations across the Myanmar border. While traditional kidnappings typically demand tens of thousands of dollars, virtual abductions seek multimillion‑dollar payouts, and captives can be held anywhere from a few days to several months depending on the criminals’ objectives. High‑profile cases such as those of Wang Xing, Zhong, and others highlight both the individual tragedies at stake and the broader geopolitical challenge of dismantling these transnational networks.