Listen to the article
Myanmar’s Military Appeals for International Help with Detained Foreigners from Scam Centers
Myanmar’s military government has issued an urgent appeal to the international community to repatriate hundreds of foreign nationals currently detained following a crackdown on online scam operations in the country’s eastern Kayin state.
Since January, authorities have conducted major raids on two notorious scam centers—KK Park and Shwe Kokko—located on the outskirts of Myawaddy, a border town adjacent to Thailand. These operations have resulted in the detention of thousands of foreign citizens.
“They are different nationals, who have different religions, morals and personalities,” said Colonel Min Thu Kyaw, who led the crackdown operations. “We want the international community to come and call them quickly. It would be more convenient if they call them back as soon as possible.”
At a press conference in Yangon on Sunday, Major General Aung Kyaw Kyaw, deputy minister for Home Affairs, revealed that 13,272 foreigners from 47 countries had been detained since the crackdown began in January. While most have been deported, 1,655 individuals remain in detention facilities.
Myanmar has become a notorious hub for sophisticated cyberscam operations targeting victims worldwide. These scams typically involve establishing romantic relationships with victims before luring them into fraudulent investment schemes. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates these criminal enterprises generate nearly $40 billion in annual revenue globally.
Colonel Min Thu Kyaw, who also serves as minister for security and border affairs in the Kayin state government, explained that the remaining detainees are being housed in various facilities, including town sports complexes, buildings controlled by the Kayin Border Guard Force, and repurposed compounds previously used by the scam operations.
Chinese nationals constitute the largest group awaiting deportation, numbering over 500 people. The remaining detainees include groups of 100-300 individuals each from Indonesia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Kenya, and India.
The deportation process has been particularly challenging for individuals from African countries that lack diplomatic representation in Myanmar or neighboring Thailand. In some cases, repatriation procedures have stretched to five months.
Myanmar’s state-run MRTV television has broadcast extensive footage of the security operations near Myawaddy, including dramatic videos showing buildings being demolished with explosives and bulldozers as part of the government’s effort to dismantle these criminal enterprises.
While the military government claims its latest crackdown on online scams and illegal gambling began in early September, critics assert that the masterminds behind these operations have simply relocated their activities to other areas.
The situation is further complicated by the significant influence of ethnic minority militias in the Myawaddy region. Several Karen ethnic armed groups operate in the area, including the military-backed Border Guard Force (BGF), which has signed a ceasefire with the army, and the Karen National Union (KNU), which is actively fighting against military rule across the country.
Though the BGF has publicly claimed to participate in the crackdown efforts, it is widely believed to have previously provided protection to scam operators. Meanwhile, the military government has accused the KNU of being linked to these criminal enterprises through alleged real estate transactions.
Both groups have firmly denied any involvement in the scam operations, creating a complex web of claims and counterclaims in a region already fraught with political and military tensions.
The appeal for international assistance highlights the growing challenge Myanmar faces in managing the fallout from these massive scam operations, which have exploited vulnerable workers from across Asia and Africa while targeting victims globally.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
12 Comments
The scam operations in Myanmar are clearly a major problem that needed to be addressed. However, the scale of the crackdown and detention of thousands of foreign nationals is concerning. Myanmar should work closely with the international community to verify identities, ensure proper legal procedures, and facilitate safe repatriation where warranted.
Absolutely. The priority should be on dismantling the criminal enterprises, not mass detention of potentially innocent individuals. Cooperative and transparent efforts between Myanmar and affected countries are essential.
Myanmar’s appeal for help with repatriating detained foreign nationals from the scam center crackdown is understandable, but raises serious concerns about due process and treatment of detainees. The international community should engage constructively with Myanmar to ensure fair legal procedures, verification of identities, and safe return of individuals not involved in criminal activities.
Exactly. Maintaining the rule of law is important, but not at the expense of fundamental human rights. Myanmar and the international community will need to work together to find an appropriate balance.
Myanmar’s crackdown on online scam centers is understandable, but the large-scale detention of foreign nationals raises flags. The military should work transparently with these individuals’ home countries to verify identities and coordinate safe repatriation where appropriate. Upholding the rule of law is important, but not at the expense of basic rights.
Well said. The international response will be crucial in ensuring this is handled properly and humanely. Myanmar will need to demonstrate due process and respect for human dignity.
This is a complex issue with many angles to consider. While scam operations should be cracked down on, detaining thousands of foreign nationals raises concerns about due process and humanitarian treatment. Myanmar’s appeal for help with repatriating these individuals seems reasonable, but the details and circumstances of each case need to be carefully examined.
Agreed, it’s a delicate balance between enforcing the law and respecting human rights. The international community will need to work closely with Myanmar to ensure a fair and humane resolution.
This is a complex situation that requires a nuanced approach. While Myanmar has a legitimate interest in cracking down on scam centers, the large-scale detention of foreign nationals is troubling. The international community should work constructively with Myanmar to ensure due process, verify identities, and facilitate the safe return of those not implicated in criminal activities.
Well said. The human rights of those detained must be respected, even as Myanmar tackles the broader problem of transnational scams. Careful collaboration will be key to finding an appropriate resolution.
This situation highlights the challenges of combating transnational crime while upholding human rights. Myanmar’s crackdown on scam centers is justifiable, but the mass detention of foreign nationals is deeply concerning. The international community should engage with Myanmar to ensure due process, protect the innocent, and facilitate the safe return of detainees where warranted.
Well put. The international response will be crucial in ensuring a fair and humane resolution to this complex issue. Cooperative efforts between Myanmar and affected countries are essential.