BANGKOK: Myanmar handed over 300 Chinese scam centre workers to be repatriated through Thailand on Friday, as authorities intensify a crackdown on the illegal operations.

Thousands of foreigners are expected to be sent home from scam compounds in Myanmar over the coming weeks, with the first batch already flown out on Thursday.

The compounds are run by criminal gangs and staffed by foreigners, many of whom say they were trafficked and forced to swindle people around the world in protracted Internet scams.

Myanmar's junta, in a statement, said a second group of 300 Chinese nationals was handed over today via the Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge 2 at the Thai border town of Mae Sot.