‘Ip Man’ actor Wang Xing says criminals instructed him in scamming techniques during Myanmar kidnapping

Chinese actor Wang Xing. Photo from Wang Xing super topic Weibo

According to a report by Xinjing Bao on Wednesday, Wang shared his ordeal after Thai police rescued him and returned him to Bangkok. He explained that a job advertisement he saw late last year prompted him to travel to Thailand to explore a new opportunity. He arrived in the country on Jan. 3, with a visa valid through March 3, and stayed at a hotel on Phuket Island.

From Phuket, a job brokerage company transported him to Chai Nat, a central Thai province, and subsequently to Mae Sot, a district in the northern province of Tak, located along the Thai-Myanmar border. Soon after, Wang lost contact with his relatives and girlfriend.

He recounted that after being forcibly taken across a river, he found himself in Myanmar, where armed individuals ushered him into a vehicle and then into a house occupied by at least 50 other Chinese nationals, as well as people from various countries.

Wang described a disturbing initiation process where everyone was forced to shave their heads and undergo scamming training through text messaging over three days, though they had not yet started training him for phone scams.

"It was a horrifying experience," he expressed. "I was extremely terrified and worried that I might never escape."

Wang believes he fell victim to a scam that exploited the reputation of a major entertainment company. Hongxing News reported that Thai police have determined Wang was a victim of human trafficking, and he may return to China within the next couple of days. His lawyer stated: "He is safe and preparing to go home. We cannot discuss further details at this time."

Meanwhile, Wang’s girlfriend Jia Jia announced on social media today that she has reunited with him. She is being commended for her bravery and astute response in handling the situation, having successfully located the right address to secure help, ensuring Wang’s safe return.

Sinchew reported that the owner of the labor brokerage company involved was arrested on charges related to orchestrating Wang’s kidnapping. The Actors Committee of the China Federation of Radio and Television Association is now urging actors and management companies to exercise caution with overseas job offers and thoroughly vet the nature of the work and the inviting entity.

Wang, who has been a part of the entertainment industry for a decade since his debut in "Ip Man 3" in 2015, has also appeared in well-known TV shows like "Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red Moon Pacted," "The Tale of Rose," and "Psychologist."