AS part of its national responsibility, the government has been actively combatting telecom fraud and online gambling, which pose threats internationally. Efforts are being made to ensure these activities cannot take root within Myanmar by coordinating not only with domestic forces but also with the governments of neighbouring countries. On 30 November and 1 December, 28 foreign nationals involved in online scam and gambling activities were arrested along with related equipment and residential buildings used for these online scam and gambling activities near Taunghteik village, Kyaukme Township of Shan State (North).
Security forces serving security duties in Kyaukme Township raided suspicious buildings near the Dokhtawady River, south of Taunghteik Village of Kyaukme Township on 30 November and found the site used for operating telecom fraud and online gambling activities. No participants in the aforesaid activities were found but the security forces confiscated six 60 feet by 30 feet hostels, five 60 feet by 30 feet work offices, six 60 feet by 30 feet food warehouses, one 60 feet by 30 feet work office under construction, one 60 feet by 30 feet hostel under construction, one 80 feet by 15 feet general purpose building, one 80 feet by 10 feet long latrine, one 30 feet by 10 feet four-room hostel, one four-room two-storey building including the ration warehouse, one large generator, five 15 feet high wooden tower, one 20 feet by 10 feet hostel, one 700 feet by 400 feet fenced land plot, 30 all-in-one desktops, 10 Starlink satellite receivers, one air-cooler, two Xiaomi Wifi devices, one sound box, three power stations, one money-counting machine, three card-cutting machines, computer accessories, and other electrical devices.
Subsequently, while carrying out a regional security operation again near Taunghteik village, the security forces also arrested 10 Chinese nationals operating online fraud and gambling activities to the north of that area. Yesterday, they apprehended another 10 Chinese nationals to the north of Taunghteik village and eight more Chinese nationals near Ponwoe village to the north of Taunghteik village.
Myanmar will continue to broadly suppress online fraud and gambling activities within the country. The government is actively cooperating with neighbouring countries, regional states, and international organizations to identify, arrest, and take strong action against those involved in these operations and the individuals orchestrating them behind the scenes. Consequently, the seized equipment, residential buildings, and sites used for online fraud and gambling have been burned and destroyed. Those apprehended, along with others involved, will be systematically investigated and prosecuted according to the law. Foreign nationals will be handled with humanitarian consideration and in the spirit of international goodwill, and will be repatriated to their respective countries. — MNA/TTA
