Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – A press conference focusing on online fraud, online gambling, and border-related issues was held. Several media representatives asked questions, and officials including Major General Zaw Min Tun, Police Brigadier General Kyaw Lin, and Police Chief Lieutenant General Win Zaw Moe responded one by one. The key points are as follows:
1. Daw Min Tsu Zaw Tho of *Popular News* inquired about how the government and the Myanmar Armed Forces were handling the Min Lai Phan case involving telecom fraud, online gambling, and illegal immigration. Major General Zaw Min Tun responded that the Min Lai Phan case was a strategy devised by the Karen National Union (KNU) to cover up its own involvement in online fraud and divert public attention from the government's crackdown efforts. He stated that its "seizure of the Karen Arms Group (KKO)" was a farce. He revealed that an investigation was underway into the deaths of Myanmar citizens in the Min Lai Phan case and emphasized that Myanmar would eradicate online fraud and take strict measures against related activities within its borders. Regarding the Myanmar-Thailand border, he stated that the government is conducting security improvements and demolition work, and that the KNU is instigating conflict through sabotage. Regarding Thailand's claim that Myanmar's defense forces fired artillery shells into its territory, he did not completely deny it, but pointed out that some incidents were not carried out by his side. He stated that the KNU deliberately fired artillery shells into Thai territory to create conflict in order to maintain its own survival and that of its affiliated terrorist organizations, and that he would present relevant video evidence. He stated that Myanmar and Thailand will cooperate to counter misunderstandings and continue bilateral friendship.
2. U Myo Min Rath, deputy editor-in-chief of *Amimyay Thitsa Thadinsone*, inquired about the areas of cooperation between the government and Karen State-related organizations (such as the DKBA, KNU/KNLA-PC, and the Border Guard Force BGF). Major General Zaw Min Tun stated that online scams are mostly perpetrated by individual members or small groups within these organizations, not by the entire organization. He emphasized the need to distinguish between good and bad members within the organization and called on ethnic armed groups to focus on the interests of the nation and its people.
3. Daw Khaing Sabei Oo, editor-in-chief of the *Hein Thitsa Thadinsone Journal*, questioned whether Myanmar treats foreign nationals involved in crimes with the same care and accommodation before their deportation, while Myanmar citizens are treated the same when involved in crimes abroad. Major General Zaw Min Tun stated that such actions constitute transnational crime, and each country has its own laws and humanitarian standards. Myanmar citizens involved in crimes abroad will be dealt with according to local laws. Currently, Myanmar is advancing the screening and deportation of foreign nationals involved in crimes.
4. U Min, special correspondent for the *Tadinaga Tadinsone Daily*, inquired about how to rescue and protect Myanmar and foreign citizens unintentionally involved in online fraud. Major General Zaw Min Tun explained that online fraud cases are complex; some are victims of information theft, while others are accomplices, requiring clear distinction. He emphasized that perpetrators will be severely punished, and victims will be protected, stressing that online fraud is a serious crime endangering the public.
5. U Win Zaw, for the *Amantaya Tadinsone Daily*, inquired whether the authorities have taken action against online lottery scams involving cars, real estate, etc. Police Brigadier General Kyaw Lin responded that they are using technical means to identify participants in such illegal activities and prosecuting them under the Gambling Law. As of December 2025, 107 online gambling cases have been handled.
6. NP News Agency's Ko Thuta Kyaw inquired about rumors of criminals fleeing to Malaysia and law enforcement corruption. Major General Zaw Min Tun stated that online gambling is complex in both technology and personnel, making it difficult to eradicate completely from a technical standpoint. He noted that many involved are foreign fugitives with behind-the-scenes support; he did not deny that some criminals might have entered the country and urged the public to actively report suspicious activities, promising decisive action from the authorities.
7. Myanmar Transparency News Agency's U Tse Ya Naing inquired about how to deal with scammers sheltered by armed groups in northern Myanmar (such as MNDAA and TNLA). Major General Zaw Min Tun stated that he has received relevant reports, but some information is pending verification. He is cooperating with China to improve the reliability of information and has already conducted arrest operations in some armed-controlled areas. He revealed that warnings will be issued to relevant organizations first, and appropriate action will be taken if this proves ineffective.
8. Aung Kyaw Oo of the Thakhidin News Agency inquired about the handling of issues related to mobile phone information theft, "buffalo gambling," and celebrities promoting online gambling. Police Brigadier General Kyaw Lin responded that between 2023 and 2025, over 2,000 social media accounts involved in online gambling had been dealt with, over 2,300 SIM cards and over 1,900 payment accounts involved in the cases had been frozen, and in 2025, one celebrity involved in promotion had been arrested and prosecuted. Monitoring and crackdowns are ongoing through technical means.
9. Naung Taw Lay of the Myanmar National Post News Agency inquired about whether KNU leader Soe Kyi Thu Win and other key figures in online fraud had been prosecuted. Police Chief Lieutenant General Win Zaw Moe stated that the KNU was reclassified as a terrorist and illegal organization in August 2025 due to its involvement in terrorist activities. Prosecutions have already been initiated against its leaders and members under the Anti-Terrorism Law and the Illegal Association Law, and their accountability will continue to be pursued according to law. He pointed out that Myanmar, as a member of the ASEAN Police Organization and Interpol, will conduct international cooperation in accordance with relevant charters.
10. U Thu Maung Maung of *Federal Political News* inquired about the situation of online fraud in Myawaddy and Myanmar-Thailand cooperation. Lieutenant General Win Zaw Moe stated that online fraud is a cross-jurisdictional crime, requiring cooperation among the source, transit, and destination countries. China, Thailand, and Myanmar are currently conducting a crackdown operation and have held several high-level meetings; a Myanmar delegation has traveled to Thailand to coordinate. Regarding the issue of KNU unilaterally transferring those involved in the Min Lay Phan case to Thailand, this is being publicly coordinated through a trilateral meeting. Since the region is under Myanmar's jurisdiction, it will be handled directly by Myanmar.
