Myanmar's military government has announced a significant escalation in its fight against international cybercrime, confirming it has raided a second major online scam centre in the country.
Major Operation in Shwe Kokko
According to a statement from military spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun published on Wednesday in state media, authorities conducted a raid on Tuesday on a scam compound located in the town of Shwe Kokko, near the border with Thailand. The operation resulted in the detention of 346 foreigners and the confiscation of nearly 10,000 mobile phones alongside other equipment used to carry out fraudulent activities.
The spokesman confirmed that security forces blocked individuals attempting to flee across the border during the operation. This raid follows a similar action in mid-October against a major scam hub known as KK Park on the outskirts of Myawaddy.
The Scale of the Scam Industry
Myanmar has become notorious for hosting industrial-scale cyberscam operations that target victims globally. These schemes typically involve criminals gaining the confidence of their targets through romantic ploys or bogus investment opportunities.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has estimated that such scam centres, primarily based in Southeast Asia, generate close to $40 billion in annual profits. The military government claims it began its crackdown on these cross-border online scams and illegal gambling in early September.
Complex Regional Dynamics
The area where these raids occurred is only loosely under the control of the central government and is influenced by various ethnic minority militias. The military-backed Border Guard Force, which has signed a ceasefire with the army, claimed credit for participating in the latest crackdown. However, it is widely believed to have previously provided protection for the scam operators.
Meanwhile, the military government has accused the Karen National Union (KNU), which is fighting against the army, of being linked to the scam centres through reported real estate deals. Both the Border Guard Force and the KNU have denied any involvement in the scam operations.
Following the October raid on KK Park, more than 1,500 people from about two dozen nations who had worked there crossed into Thailand. Zaw Min Tun stated that the site's buildings have since been demolished, including through controlled explosions.
Addressing Skepticism and International Cooperation
Much of the military spokesman's statement appeared aimed at addressing skepticism voiced on social media and by critics who suspect the crackdown is superficial and that the previous raid was staged. He stressed that the army was "working to completely eradicate scam activities from their roots."
Critics, however, maintain that the masterminds behind these extensive scam operations continue to operate from other locations. Zaw Min Tun also highlighted China's cooperation in fighting Myanmar's scam operations. China remains the top ally of Myanmar's military government, which faces ostracism from many Western nations after ousting the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021.
