A press conference on national-level telecom fraud prevention process of the government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was held at the Studio A of the Myanma Radio and Television on Pyay Road in Kamayut Township of Yangon Region yesterday morning.
Leader of the Information Team of the National Defence and Security Council Deputy Minister for Information Maj- Gen Zaw Min Tun and officials replied to queries raised by media.
First, the Information Team leader Deputy Minister for Information explained that regarding the government’s actions to suppress telecom fraud and online gambling activities in Laukkai and Muse areas of Shan State (North), and Shwe Kokko, KK Park, and Chongkhaed areas in Myawady Township of Kayin State, it should be noted that telecom fraud and online gambling did not originate in Myanmar. Media reports on these online fraudulent activities have repeatedly clarified that these illegal online gambling operations are being conducted by groups based in border areas controlled by armed organizations.
He also clarified that the Myanmar government does not allow these telecom fraud and online gambling activities but makes efforts on active cooperation with international community in combatting these activities. After Tatmadaw assumed State responsibilities due to the voting fraud in the 2020 election, some ethnic armed organizations-EAO took advantage of the situation of political instability and provided armed and military training to those involved in the violent unrests to undermine local security and the rule of law. Exploiting the resulting weak security conditions, the online fraudulent activities has increased. Committing the illegal activities, including telecom fraud and online gambling, were found in Laukkai area of Shan State (North) in 2022. A joint task force was formed between Myanmar and China to conduct the joint suppression operations against the telecom fraud and online gambling activities. Foreign nationals who illegally entered Myanmar and were involved in these illegal online activities were transferred to their respective countries under the law.
He also explained that exposing and arresting the suspects through the exchange of information between the Myanmar Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Public Security Ministry of China in order to ensure rule of law between Myanmar and China and combat the telecom fraud and online gambling; conducting the effective suppression through the trilateral cooperation against the forced labour activities which commit the telecom fraud and online gambling at the border regions of Myanmar, Thailand and China; complete demolition of illegal buildings not to base telecom fraud and online gambling activities as well as criminal activities in Myawady region again; and the policy and ways of the Myanmar government to continue suppression against the online scam and gambling activities.
Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Aung Kyaw Kyaw clarified strenous efforts of Myanmar in suppressing the telecom fraud and online gambling activities while Chief of the Myanmar Police Force Police Lt-Gen Win Zaw Moe explained facts about the prevention of trafficking in persons and the eradication of narcotic drugs.
Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun and officials replied to queries raised by reporters from news agencies.
After the press conference, all attendees observed the seized materials used in the telecom fraud and online gambling activities and the documentary photos displayed in the hall.
The press conference was attended by members of the Information Team of the National Defence and Security Council, ambassadors and officials from the Yangon-based foreign embassies, representatives of departments, and reporters from local news agencies, daily newspapers, local TV news agencies and local-based foreign news agencies. — MNA/TTA
