BANGKOK — Initiatives to dismantle online scam operations in Myanmar have gained traction recently, particularly following a significant visit from a senior Chinese security official. Liu Zhongyi, who serves as China’s vice minister of public security and commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, toured areas along the Thai-Myanmar border on Monday. This visit is expected to precede large-scale repatriations of workers caught up in these illegal enterprises.
According to Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Liu’s visit is part of an intensified collaboration between Thailand, Myanmar, and China to combat the increasing online scam issue. The regions of Myanmar adjacent to Thailand have been identified as safe havens for organized crime syndicates that employ an estimated hundreds of thousands of individuals from Southeast Asia and other regions to facilitate various scams, including fraudulent romantic schemes, fake investment opportunities, and illegal gambling operations.
These scams have imposed significant financial losses on victims worldwide, amounting to tens of billions of dollars. More tragically, many of the individuals coerced into participating in these scams have been lured by false promises and find themselves effectively enslaved in these operations. Just last week, approximately 260 individuals from 20 different nations, many hailing from Africa, made the journey from Myanmar to Thailand, where they were reportedly liberated from the scam centers.
The commitment to tackle the online scam networks was reiterated during Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s visit to China in early February. There, she and President Xi Jinping agreed on the urgent need for a crackdown on these criminal networks. Prior to her trip, Thailand took decisive action by severing electricity, internet, and gas supplies to several regions in Myanmar along the border due to national security concerns and the extensive damage inflicted by the scam operations.
Rrepatiations are being coordinated by the Border Guard Force in Myawaddy, a militia representing the Karen ethnic group, which wields considerable influence in the area. However, this group has faced criticism for allegedly facilitating criminal activities, including offering protection to scam centers. Saw Chit Thu, the group’s leader, countered these allegations in a press conference, admitting business connections with properties that house the centers, which he claimed were originally intended as resorts.
Recently, reports have emerged that Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation is contemplating pursuing arrest warrants for Chit Thu and others based on allegations of human trafficking related to these operations. Thai officials estimate that between 7,000 to 10,000 additional individuals could be repatriated, although Phumtham cautioned that only those who are immediately able to be returned by their respective countries would be accepted by Thailand.
In an initial move, around 600 Chinese nationals from the scam centers are anticipated to return to China on charter flights once Liu’s visit concludes. Liu visited border zones in Thailand’s Tak province before appearing at a location in Myawaddy, Myanmar, where many individuals believed to be rescued from multiple scam locations are awaiting repatriation. Candid footage from Liu’s visit captured large groups of individuals sitting on the floor with their belongings within a spacious, open structure.
In a statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized that China is proactively engaging in both bilateral and multilateral efforts with Thailand and Myanmar to implement comprehensive strategies aimed at addressing not only the symptoms but also the root causes of these crimes. “This effort is aimed at eradicating the scourge of online gambling and telecom fraud to safeguard the lives and property of citizens,” he declared, underlining the importance of maintaining orderly regional cooperation.
Stories of Chinese individuals being lured to Thailand and subsequently trafficked into scam compounds in Myanmar have gained considerable traction on social media in China, raising concerns and negatively impacting Thailand’s image as a safe travel destination. One notable case involved Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was promised employment in Thailand but was later kidnapped and taken to Myanmar. His subsequent rescue went viral on social media, highlighting the perilous situation that many face.
The crackdown on scam operations in Myanmar first began in late 2023, spurred by China’s discontent over illegal casinos and scams along its border in Myanmar’s northern Shan state. Various ethnic guerrilla factions closely allied with Beijing intervened to shut down numerous operations, with about 45,000 Chinese nationals suspected of involvement being sent back to China.
