Myanmar authorities have carried out coordinated security operations against online scam and gambling networks in northern Shan State. The actions took place on 30 November and 1 December near Taunghteik Village in Kyaukme Township and led to the arrest of 28 foreign nationals along with the seizure and destruction of extensive infrastructure used for illegal activities.
Recently, Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, ordered an emergency crackdown on scam centres along the Thai–Myanmar border, in what analysts described as the junta’s strongest response yet to mounting international pressure, especially from China.
Security forces first raided several suspicious compounds located south of Taunghteik Village near the Dokhtawady River. Officers did not find operators inside the buildings during the initial sweep. However, they discovered a wide network of structures linked to online scam and gambling operations.
The sites included six hostels measuring 60 by 30 feet, five work offices of a similar size, six food warehouses, a large ration warehouse, several buildings still under construction, and multiple towers. The entire area was fenced and covered roughly 700 by 400 feet. Equipment linked to telecom fraud was also seized. This included 30 all in one desktop computers, 10 Starlink satellite receivers, power stations, Wi Fi devices, card cutting machines, a money counting machine, and other accessories believed to support cross border scam activities.
The following day, security forces conducted further operations north of the first location. Officers arrested 10 Chinese nationals who were allegedly running online scam and gambling networks in the area. A separate operation carried out on 1 December led to the detention of another 10 Chinese nationals in the same zone.
Authorities also detained eight more individuals near Ponwoe Village. In total, 28 foreign nationals were taken into custody over the two day period. Officials stated that all detainees will face investigation and prosecution according to Myanmar’s domestic law. Foreign nationals will be processed with humanitarian consideration before repatriation to their home countries.
Officials said the crackdown reflects Myanmar’s ongoing effort to prevent the establishment of international scam syndicates in border regions. The government is working with neighbouring countries and international organisations to identify and dismantle networks operating illegal online activities from within Myanmar.
The seized equipment and buildings have now been destroyed to prevent any further use. Authorities noted that many of the items found at the site are commonly used by large scale online fraud groups that target victims across multiple countries.
Myanmar made the eradication of such acts like online gambling a national priority after identifying them as a threat. According to the country’s Ministry of Information, the international community affected by these crimes as well as domestic interests were the focus of its efforts. Criminal networks engaged in internet gambling and fraud were dismantled by security services, government agencies, and municipal authorities, often under difficult circumstances.
#Myanmar #IllegalGambling #OnlineScams #LawEnforcement #CrossBorderCrime #SecurityOperations
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