Before that, around 260 people from 20 countries crossed into Thai custody from Myanmar as part of the crackdown. Over 100 remain in Thailand awaiting repatriation. Many of these people were trafficked to Myanmar via Mae Sot, which is currently a hub for mass repatriation efforts.

They are among some 7,000 people from more than two dozen countries released from scam compounds who are now enduring a gruelling wait to be sent home through Thailand.

The unprecedented number is straining Thailand’s resources, highlighting the need for a global response to address the issue of human trafficking.

"I swear to God I need help," said the man quietly on the other end of the line. The Ethiopian, who calls himself Mike, said he is being held with 450 others in a building inside Myanmar, along the country's border with Thailand.

Thousands of foreigners freed from online scam-operating centres in Myanmar are stuck in limbo on the border with Thailand after a multinational crackdown on the compounds run by criminal gangs, three sources told Reuters on Monday.

An airlift carrying more than 1,000 Chinese nationals who had worked at online scam centers in eastern Myanmar began Thursday, after the rescued workers were taken across the border to Thailand and put on chartered flights to China.

A sweeping crackdown led by authorities from Thailand, China and Myanmar has dismantled scam centers along the Thai-Myanmar border and freed thousands from nearly 30 countries, but helping them return home remains a big challenge,