Tragedy of Woman in Her 20s: Organs Removed After Pursuing Modeling Dream in Thailand

Abducted by a Crime Syndicate in Thailand and Taken Across the Myanmar Border
Killed After Failing to Meet Required Profit Targets

Recently, following the murder of a Korean university student by a local crime syndicate in Cambodia, a foreign woman was also abducted and killed by a human trafficking organization in Thailand. A beautiful female model, who had traveled to Thailand after receiving a "model offer," was taken to Myanmar, where her organs were harvested and she was found dead. Not only in Cambodia, but also in Thailand, Myanmar, and across Southeast Asia, online fraud and human trafficking organizations are expanding their reach.

Vera Kravchova, who was killed by a criminal organization during a visit to Bangkok, Thailand. The Sun

On October 16 (local time), international media outlets such as the Daily Mail and The Sun reported that Vera Kravchova, a woman in her 20s from Belarus, traveled to Bangkok, Thailand to sign a modeling contract, but was later killed. Upon her arrival in Thailand, Kravchova was abducted by a local criminal group and taken to the Myanmar border region. After her passport and mobile phone were confiscated, she was subjected to assault and threats, and was forced to participate in cybercrime activities.

Vera Kravchova, who was killed by a criminal organization during a visit to Bangkok, Thailand. The Sun

According to media reports, the criminal group that abducted Kravchova operated what is known as a "camp," a lawless area in northern Myanmar run by a coalition of Chinese crime syndicates and local military personnel. Many people are trafficked to this location, where they are imprisoned behind barbed wire and forced to work more than 16 hours a day. If they fail to follow orders or meet profit targets, they are reportedly subjected to beatings, torture, and threats of organ harvesting.

Forced into Romance Scam After Abduction

Kravchova was used in "romance scam" schemes, where she pretended to develop romantic feelings for wealthy men, built trust, and then stole their money. However, when she failed to meet the required profit targets, the camp cut off all her outside contact, according to media reports. Furthermore, one of the camp's operatives called Kravchova's family and said, "She is already dead. If you want to receive her body, send $500,000 (approximately 709 million won)." When her family did not send the money, they were contacted again and told, "The body has already been cremated. Do not look for her anymore."

On the 16th (local time), a view of the Taeja Complex, a crime complex near Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The photo is not related to any specific content of the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

In connection with the case, Russian media outlet SHOT explained, "Kravchova was sold to an organ trafficking organization, her organs were harvested, and her body was cremated." Currently, Kravchova's family is negotiating in hopes of receiving her remains. The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that "Vera departed from Bangkok, Thailand to Yangon, Myanmar on September 20," and stated, "Belarusian and Myanmar diplomatic and public security authorities are currently working together to handle the case."

A local police official stated, "From the beginning, she received a fake contract from a criminal group, not a modeling agency, and was immediately taken from Thailand to northern Myanmar and sold into slavery. There, women are trained to use their appearance to approach men and extort money. However, if they attempt to escape or fail to meet monetary targets, they become targets for organ harvesting."

On the 16th (local time), traces of daily life were found inside the Prince Complex, a crime complex near Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This is unrelated to the article content. Photo by Yonhap News.

There have been previous reports of cases similar to Kravchova's. Dashinima Ochirnimayeva, a Chinese-Russian model from Chita, Siberia, Russia, was also taken by the same organization and nearly ended up on an organ trafficking list. Fortunately, she was rescued thanks to the intervention of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She testified, "I went after receiving a modeling offer, but it was actually a human trafficking trap. I was forced to work under threats of gun violence, and escape was unthinkable."

Amid a series of abductions and detentions of Koreans in Cambodia, here is the scene of the "Mango Compound," known as a crime cluster near Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the 16th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

The Russian Ambassador to Thailand stated, "She was deceived into illegally entering Myanmar from Thailand and was confined in a notorious slave camp. These organizations lure women with fake modeling contracts, but in reality, force them into labor and romance scams." A local human rights group official warned, "The case of the Belarusian model is not simply human trafficking, but a modern form of 'body trade.' Tens of thousands of people are already imprisoned in this way across Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and other parts of Southeast Asia."

Meanwhile, a 2023 United Nations report stated that about 120,000 victims of human trafficking are detained in Myanmar alone, mainly from Vietnam, India, and Sri Lanka, with some from Russia, Eastern Europe, and East Asia, and are forced to work as modern slaves in scam organizations.