Myanmar Raids Major Online Scam Hub, Arrests Nearly 350 Foreigners

Myanmar’s military government has launched a sweeping new operation to crack down on widespread online scam networks, detaining hundreds of foreign nationals and seizing thousands of mobile devices. The latest raid took place on Tuesday in Shwe Kokko, a town near Myawaddy close to the Thai border, an area known for large-scale cyberfraud operations.

What Happened

During the raid, military forces entered a large scam compound in Shwe Kokko and detained 346 foreign workers. According to officials, nearly 10,000 mobile phones and other electronic devices used in online fraud were also taken into custody. Military authorities said they also stopped several individuals who tried to escape across the border into Thailand.

This operation follows a similar raid in mid-October at KK Park, another major scam center in the same region. After the earlier raid, more than 1,500 people from around 20 countries fled into Thailand to avoid arrest. The military later demolished parts of KK Park using controlled explosions.

Location and Background

Shwe Kokko and surrounding areas near Myawaddy have become key hubs for illegal online scam operations in Southeast Asia. These scams often include fake investment schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, and online romance cons. Many of these centers attract foreign workers who are forced to run fraud schemes under threat or false job offers.

Myanmar is believed to be one of the largest bases for such cybercrime networks in the region. International agencies estimate that online scam operations across Southeast Asia together generate up to $40 billion every year.

Who Is Involved

The area around Myawaddy is politically complicated. Although the region lies within Myanmar, it is not fully controlled by the national military. Power is shared among several armed groups:

• The military government

• The Border Guard Force (BGF), which has a ceasefire agreement and is sometimes aligned with the military

• The Karen National Union (KNU), one of Myanmar’s major ethnic armed organizations opposing the military government

While the BGF is assisting the current raids, the group has long faced suspicion of protecting scam networks in the area. Both the BGF and KNU deny involvement in operating cyberfraud compounds.

Official Response and Criticism

Military spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun stated that the government is working to completely shut down these scam operations and is cooperating with China, which has pushed regional governments to take action. Many Chinese citizens have been victims of such online scams.

However, critics argue that the crackdown focuses mostly on lower-level workers rather than the key leaders who profit the most. Some activists believe the operations may be more symbolic than effective, saying the real organisers continue operating in other areas without fear.

Myanmar’s military leadership has faced growing isolation from Western governments since taking power in 2021 after removing the elected administration. The country has been struggling with political instability, conflict with ethnic armed groups, and international criticism over human rights concerns.

The latest raids highlight both the scale of the online fraud industry in the region and the military’s attempt to show strong action at a time when its authority and legitimacy are under pressure.