Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) Online fraud and gambling crimes pose a serious threat to the livelihoods and safety of people worldwide. Myanmar attaches great importance to these illegal activities and has organized security personnel and administrative departments to conduct multiple joint crackdown operations in areas where illegal activities are concentrated. Through measures such as searching and demolishing illegal buildings and arresting suspects, efforts are being made to curb the spread of these crimes.
Key Areas Focused Crackdown: Demolition and Investigations Proceed Simultaneously
In the KK Park area, where illegal activities are rampant, law enforcement agencies have conducted joint operations, focusing on searching and demolishing illegal buildings used for online fraud and gambling. In the Myawaddy-Mettawale (Kota Kinabalu Park) area, the crackdown has also made phased progress—of the 635 buildings used for such illegal activities in this area, 217 have been demolished as of now; yesterday alone, 11 buildings involved in the cases were demolished according to law, and the demolition of the remaining illegal buildings is still ongoing.
The Shwe Kok area is another core area of this crackdown. Since November 18th, law enforcement has been conducting a special operation in this area, which entered its sixth day yesterday. On that day, law enforcement officers searched 33 buildings in the area but found no suspects (those involved had fled with computers, communication equipment, etc.). However, they successfully identified and detained 156 foreign citizens suspected of participating in online fraud and gambling, and seized a large number of tools used in the crimes.
Seizure of Suspects and Supplies: Suspects of Multiple Nationalities Arrested; Large Quantity of Equipment Involved
The 156 foreign citizens arrested yesterday in the Rikoko region represent multiple countries and regions, including: 65 Chinese, 8 Vietnamese, 1 Malaysian, 13 Kenyans, 4 Ethiopians, 6 Indonesians, 6 Ugandans, 1 Nepalese, 20 Indians, 1 Zimbabwean, 7 Filipinos, 2 Rwandans, 3 Nigerians, 5 Thais, 1 Kazakhstani, 1 Uzbek, 1 Benin, 8 Burundians, 1 Togolese, and 1 Singaporean. It is understood that these individuals were suspects who committed crimes in neighboring countries such as Thailand and were hiding in Myanmar.
Since the launch of the special operation in the Shwe Kok region on November 18, law enforcement agencies have arrested 1,746 foreign citizens who illegally entered Myanmar, seizing 2,893 computers, 21,750 mobile phones, 101 Starlink satellite receivers, 21 routers, and a large quantity of industrial materials used in online fraud and gambling. The operation is still ongoing.
Personnel Handling Proceeds in an Orderly Manner: Identity Verification and Repatriation Work are Underway Simultaneously
Currently, the foreign citizens arrested in the Shwe Kok region are being held in designated buildings within the Long Tin Courtyard in Shwe Kok Myo Village, Phu Phu Village, Myawaddy Township. Yesterday, the Illegal Foreigners Investigation Team completed the identity verification of 288 foreign citizens. A joint team composed of multiple departments is expediting the collection of personal information and document filing, ensuring that those involved are repatriated to their respective countries as soon as possible.
From January 30, 2025 to November 23, 2025, a total of 12,586 foreign citizens who illegally entered Myanmar have been detained nationwide. Of these, 12,143 people underwent systematic screening, and 9,978 have been repatriated to Myanmar via Thailand in accordance with the law; the remaining 2,608 foreign citizens have completed repatriation preparations and are receiving proper accommodation and care while awaiting repatriation.
The government's stance is clear: continued cooperation to eradicate illegal activities.
The Myanmar government has clearly stated that eradicating online fraud and online gambling is the country's inherent responsibility. To completely eliminate the breeding ground for such illegal activities within Myanmar, the government will continue to coordinate the efforts of various domestic departments and strengthen coordination and cooperation with neighboring governments to form a joint force in combating these activities and build a long-term governance mechanism.
