Thousands of Chinese lured abroad and forced to be scammers - now Beijing is cracking down

In fact, it is part of a documentary on Chinese state media - a look inside the workings of the justice system almost unheard of in a country where court proceedings are largely kept out of the public eye. In January this year, the national spotlight was on Wang Xing, a small-time Chinese actor who had flown to Thailand for an acting gig, only to be taken to a scam centre across the border in Myanmar. Selina Ho, associate professor specialising in Chinese politics at the National University of Singapore, tells the BBC that "by publicising the most recent crackdown, Chinese authorities are aiming to calm domestic sentiments and reassure the families of victims".