Myanmar’s military government announced a large-scale raid this week resulting in the arrest of over 346 people at an online scam hub near the Thai border, a crackdown coinciding with increased pressure from China to address the issue. These operations, flourishing since the 2021 coup, are reportedly linked to human trafficking and generate billions of dollars annually through romance and business fraud schemes. While authorities claim to be taking a firmer stance, some observers believe the recent raids may be largely for show, intended to appease international partners without disrupting established criminal networks.
Myanmar’s military junta announced a large-scale raid on an online scam operation near the border with Thailand, resulting in the arrest of over 300 foreign nationals. The crackdown comes as authorities struggle to contain a surge in cybercrime linked to the political instability following the 2021 military coup.
The scam operations have flourished in the conflict-ridden border region, exploiting vulnerable individuals through romance and business fraud schemes targeting internet users worldwide. These illicit activities generate an estimated tens of billions of dollars annually.
For years, the ruling military government in Myanmar has been accused of turning a blind eye to the widespread criminal activity. However, since February, the junta has signaled a tougher stance following lobbying efforts from China, a key military backer of the country.
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Some observers suggest the recent series of raids, which began last month, are largely for propaganda purposes. They believe the junta is attempting to appease Beijing without significantly impacting the profits enjoyed by its militia allies.
According to local media outlet The Global New Light of Myanmar, as reported by AFP on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the junta raided the Shwe Kokko gambling and scam center on Tuesday, November 18, morning local time.
“During the operation, a total of 346 foreign nationals, currently under investigation, were arrested,” The Global New Light of Myanmar reported.
“Nearly 10,000 mobile phones used in online gambling operations were also seized,” the report added.
Since the 2021 coup and the ensuing civil war, Myanmar’s border regions have become havens for online scam and gambling operations. Analysts say these centers are staffed by thousands of willing workers, as well as individuals who have fallen victim to human trafficking.
China, a significant supporter of Myanmar’s military junta, has grown increasingly frustrated with the number of its citizens both perpetrating and falling victim to these scams.
The Myanmar military junta, on Wednesday, November 19, blamed armed opposition groups for allowing the scam operations to flourish under their protection, claiming it has regained territorial control and is now taking action.
The Global New Light of Myanmar identified a company named Yatai, owned and managed by a Chinese-Cambodian national, She Zhijiang, as being “involved” in the management of the Shwe Kokko area.
She was arrested in Thailand in 2022 and extradited to China last week, where he will face trial on a range of charges related to online gambling and fraud schemes. Both She and his company have been sanctioned by the United States and the United Kingdom.
The U.S. government has described She as transforming a village on the Myanmar-Thailand border into Shwe Kokko – a “purpose-built resort town for gambling, drug trafficking, prostitution, and scams targeting people around the world.”
In October, the junta raided another online scam hub, KK Park, located near Shwe Kokko. The Myanmar military claimed its forces destroyed over 600 buildings in the KK Park area.
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