China doubles down on border scam operations with Myanmar
China is intensifying its efforts to dismantle international scam operations along the Thai-Myanmar border, dispatching Liu Zhongyi, China’s Assistant Minister of Public Security, to the region to bolster the crackdown.
Liu, an experienced police officer, arrived at Don Mueang International Airport yesterday, February 16, with approximately 26 Chinese delegates. From there, they travelled to Mae Sot district in Tak before crossing into Myawaddy.
Liu is expected to return to China with around 600 Chinese nationals who were liberated from scam gangs in Myawaddy following recent raids.
These people will be transported back to China on chartered flights, according to Bangkok Post.
A Myanmar official in Myawaddy, reported that a joint security operation had freed 731 people from eight countries, including Thailand, during the recent operations.
Although the number of Thais rescued was not specified, it was confirmed that those liberated hailed from China, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Thailand.
They are currently being assessed to differentiate genuine human trafficking victims from those voluntarily involved in scam operations.
The Myanmar junta-allied Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) collaborated in the crackdown, resulting in the detention of 69 individuals. Continued efforts saw the detention of 669 more this past weekend.
Rangsiman Rome, a People’s Party list MP and Chairman of the House Committee on State Security, Border Affairs, National Strategy and Reform, led a visit to Mae Sot yesterday. He held discussions with the Naresuan military task force, responsible for safeguarding the 993km Thai-Myanmar border.
Rangsiman highlighted the rapid growth of call centre scam gangs, which have significantly impacted Thailand’s economy and tourism. He described this as a battle against one of the world’s largest criminal syndicates and pledged full legislative support.
In response to the Thai government’s decision to cut electricity, fuel, and Internet services to the border area in Myanmar, where the gangs operate, the syndicates have resorted to solar power and satellite Internet connections.
Rangsiman believes that the BGF plays a crucial role in controlling Myawaddy and the scam centre hub of Shwe Kokko. Intelligence suggests that many syndicate financiers who were captured in Myawaddy have relocated to Hpa-an, the largest city in Kayin State.
On February 15, the BGF announced preparations to deport 10,000 individuals linked to cyber scams to Thailand as part of its crackdown on illegal operations. Scam compounds have proliferated in Myanmar’s border areas, staffed by trafficked foreigners forced to defraud people globally in an industry valued in the billions.
The BGF has already transferred 61 individuals to Thailand and is preparing to hand over an additional 500 from various nationalities.
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