Online Fraud and Online Gambling: Foreigners, buildings and equipment arrested in Kyaukme

The Government of Myanmar has been carrying out the eradication of online fraud and online gambling which pose threats internationally and globally as a national responsibility and is implementing strict measures to eliminate these crimes.

To ensure that such criminal activities cannot establish any base within Myanmar, the government has been actively carrying out suppression operations in coordination not only with domestic forces but also with the governments of neighboring countries.

As part of these efforts, on November 30 and December 1st, a total of 28 foreign nationals involved in online scam and online gambling operations were arrested near Taung Hteik Village in Kyaukme Township, Shan State (North), together with related equipment and residential buildings used for committing these crimes.

On November 30, security personnel conducting area security operations in Kyaukme Township discovered suspicious buildings near the southern bank of the Dokhtawaddy ဒုဋ္ဌဝတီ River, close to Taung Hteik Village. Upon inspection, they found that the location was being used for online financial fraud and gambling operations.

Although no operators were found at the time, the following items and structures were seized: twenty five 60-ft and 80-ft in length by 30-ft, 15, 10-ft in width each three-flyer wood dormitories with zinc roofing, one large generator, five 15-ft-high wooden watchtowers, a fenced compound measuring 700 ft by 400 ft, 30 all-in-one desktop computers, 10 Starlink antenna dishes, 1 air cooler, 2 Xiaomi Wi-Fi routers, 1 sound box, 3 power stations, 1 money-counting machine, computer accessories and various electrical equipment. Continuing their area security operations, security personnel further cleared the surrounding areas.

They subsequently arrested: 10 Chinese nationals to the northwest of the initial location, near Taung Hteik Village, 10 more Chinese nationals on December 1st at the northern side of Taung Hteik Village, 8 Chinese nationals near Pon Woe Village, north of Taung Hteik Village.

The State announced that Myanmar will continue widespread and decisive operations to eliminate online fraud and online gambling activities within the country. In collaboration with neighboring countries, regional nations, and international organizations, Myanmar is working actively to expose, arrest, and take firm legal action against not only the perpetrators but also those operating behind the scenes.

Consequently, the buildings, compounds, and items used in these illegal activities have been destroyed by fire, and those arrested are being systematically investigated. Foreign nationals will be repatriated to their respective countries based on humanitarian considerations and friendly relations between countries.