Myanmar detains over 270 foreigners from scam compounds on Thai border

Shwe Kokko city, a casino, entertainment, and tourism complex, from Thailand's side of the border, in Mae Sot district, Thailand

Eva Yinuo, Scamstyle.com - On February 17, Myanmar authorities detained 273 foreigners from scam compounds near the Thai border, coinciding with a senior Chinese official's visit to frontier towns on both sides as part of an expanded crackdown on illegal online activities.

The United Nations reports that hundreds of thousands of people trafficked by criminal gangs have been forced to work in scam compounds that have emerged across Southeast Asia, including the Thailand-Myanmar border.

Despite operating for years, these scam centers have only recently come under increased scrutiny following the rescue and return to China of actor Wang Xing, who was abducted in Thailand after being enticed there with a job offer.

This week, officials from China, Myanmar, and Thailand met in Myawaddy, including China's assistant public security minister, Mr. Liu Zhongyi, according to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar on February 18.

"The representatives held a coordination meeting in Myawaddy and discussed the preventive system for telecom fraud among the three countries," it stated, referring to the Myanmar town near Thailand where Wang was rescued.

Since late January, Myanmar authorities have identified 1,303 foreigners who entered the country illegally and worked in scam compounds in the Myawaddy area, with 273 detained on February 17, the paper noted.

"We will work until the scam centers and human trafficking are eradicated," he told reporters on February 17, indicating the increasing pressure on his group from regional countries.

Their strategies include cutting Thai electricity, fuel, and internet supplies to certain border areas.

Last week, a group of 260 scam center survivors from Myawaddy entered Thailand, most of whom were victims of human trafficking, said Mr. Choocheap Pongchai, the governor of Thailand's Tak province.

Two members of the group have been handed over to police for further investigation, he added.