Yesterday China's foreign ministry warned Chinese citizens against going to Myanmar to work or gamble, citing scam and abduction risks, according to a People's Daily report.

Ministry officials said that in recent years Chinese have been lured into Myanmar with promises of high-paying work, cheap jade or free travel and have been scammed or kidnapped. Chinese visiting casinos have been trapped inside, beaten and held for ransom, the report said.

In late 2008 more than 50 youths from China's northern province of Shanxi had reportedly been abducted in Myanmar after crossing the Myanmar-Yunnan border with promises of high-paying work.

Last month, 19 of the teenagers were released after their families paid ransoms to their abductors.

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