ONLINE scams and gambling activities have so far destroyed the socioeconomic lives of the people in many countries worldwide. But these activities do not stop their attempts to trap the victims. Meanwhile, governments and authorities from many countries are striving to combat online scams and gambling activities in various ways and means.
Myanmar has been beefing up its efforts to combat online scams and gambling activities, most of which occur in border regions and remote areas of the nation, in cooperation with law enforcement forces from neighbouring countries. Currently, the Pyithu Hluttaw and the Amyotha Hluttaw are preparing to enact the Anti-Online Scam Law. Upon completion of enactment, the law can help protect the life and property of the people across Myanmar and will create chances to join hands with international communities in the fight against online scammers and gamblers.
At present, the government is dismantling the buildings which were used as locations to commit telecom fraud and online gambling activities. Many buildings used as roots of those online scammers and gamblers have been destroyed one after another. Such an act aims to remove the infrastructure used in online scams and gambling activities so that they are no longer rooted. Moreover, it shows the endeavours and concepts of the government, which never utilize these crime-related empty buildings in society because scammers and gamblers are rooted there searching for their victims for their interests.
Moreover, the Myanmar government and Tatmadaw are combing the areas to arrest online scammers and gamblers in their bases day and night. On the other hand, the authorities arrested foreign nationals who illegally entered Myawady, Myanmar, through illegal border routes. During the period from 30 January 2025 to 7 July 2026, authorities detained 14,731 illegal foreign entrants, 13,572 of whom have been released to relevant countries under the law through Thailand. Among the remaining 1,159 foreign nationals, 709 illegal foreign entrants faced legal action under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. Hence, it is ready to release the remaining 450 foreign detainees to their mother countries.
Security forces are serving defence and security duties in their assigned areas in addition to combatting online scams and gambling activities with the sacrifice of life and limbs. At the same time, the government is actively cooperating with neighbouring and regional countries and international organizations to expose and arrest foreign manipulators in the online scam hubs in order to take severe action against them.
