Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) reports that the Myanmar government is continuously identifying and investigating foreign citizens illegally entering border areas to engage in illegal activities such as online gambling and telecommunications fraud. Those involved are being dealt with according to law and regulations, and systematically repatriated to their countries of nationality according to legal procedures.
Recently, law enforcement agencies apprehended another 22 foreign citizens who illegally entered the country and initiated repatriation procedures. This group of individuals illegally entered the area near Myawaddy District, Kayin State, via neighboring countries such as Thailand. The group includes 15 Chinese citizens, 2 Burundian citizens, 2 Indian citizens, and 1 citizen each from Rwanda, Bangladesh, and Uganda.
To ensure a swift and orderly repatriation, a joint working group composed of multiple departments is collecting and compiling the identity information and necessary documents of the individuals. U Kham San Lin, Chairman of the Myawaddy District Administrative Committee and District Head, led relevant officials to inspect the repatriation process and coordinate various aspects of the process.
Statistics show that from January 30, 2025 to February 11, 2026, a total of 14,200 foreign citizens illegally entering the country were apprehended in Myawaddy Township. Investigations into all individuals involved have been completed. Of these, 13,117 have been repatriated via Thailand, and the remaining 1,083 foreign citizens have been properly resettled and are eligible for repatriation.
Regarding judicial proceedings, among those involved, one Indian citizen and one Nepalese citizen were prosecuted under Sections 3(1)/13(1) of the 1947 Burma Immigration (Emergency Clauses) Law for violating visa management regulations. Five other Indian citizens, who had been deported and blacklisted for involvement in online fraud, illegally re-entered Myanmar and were prosecuted on October 6, 2025, and convicted on February 3, 2026. They were sentenced to five years and three years imprisonment and forced labor, respectively, under Sections 4 (2)/13 (1) and 15 (2) of the Immigration Law.
