Myanmar Cracks Down on Telecom Fraud, Extradites Suspects to China

In a joint effort between Myanmar and China, law enforcement has successfully targeted telecom fraud, resulting in the extradition of 31,000 suspects to China. The crackdown, initiated in September, included the apprehension of 63 “financiers” and leaders of criminal syndicates responsible for defrauding Chinese citizens. The Ministry of Public Security in China reported significant achievements in the battle against online scams.

According to Chinese state media, over 100,000 people engage in telecom fraud daily across at least 1,000 scam centers in Myanmar, which shares a border with southwest China. The Chinese police began their crackdown in September, followed by “swift attacks” on crime gangs in Myanmar in November.

Amid the surge in telecom scams targeting Chinese citizens in Myanmar, Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong visited Myanmar in November. During the visit, he expressed China’s readiness to collaborate with Myanmar in tackling cross-border crime, including online gambling. China also pledged support to Myanmar in maintaining stability along their common border, where the junta is facing challenges from ethnic minority insurgent groups and pro-democracy fighters.

The situation escalated with the suicide of a Myanmar gang leader on the run, prompting the handover of three gang members to Chinese authorities. Myanmar’s ruling military faces multiple challenges in its borderlands, with ethnic minority insurgent groups aligning with pro-democracy fighters against the junta.China, while calling for peace, asserted its constructive role in promoting peace talks and urging relevant parties to prioritize the people’s interests, cease fire, and end the conflict as soon as possible.