China reported a significant victory in its campaign against cross-border telecom fraud, announcing the "wipe-out" of all large-scale fraud operations in northern Myanmar following a coordinated law enforcement operation. Chinese state media revealed on Thursday that 763 Chinese nationals were transferred to China after their arrest in Myanmar's Tangyan region. Among those apprehended were 69 fugitives from China's most-wanted list.
This effort marks a milestone in the collaboration between China and Myanmar to combat telecom fraud, which has been a growing issue targeting Chinese citizens. Since the crackdown began last year, Chinese authorities have detained over 53,000 suspects connected to these crimes, showcasing the scale of the problem.
The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) highlighted the strategic nature of the operation, stating that it was part of intensified efforts to dismantle criminal networks that had migrated deeper into Myanmar to evade enforcement. Tools used in fraudulent activities, including computers, mobile phones, and scam scripts, were confiscated during the operation, with all evidence handed over to Chinese authorities at the Yonghe port in Yunnan Province.
"Under the intensified crackdown and deterrence, fraud perpetrators have continuously relocated deeper into Myanmar," the MPS official said. "We will maintain a high-pressure crackdown on cross-border telecom fraud and strengthen collaboration to completely wipe out this 'cancer.'"
Telecom fraud operations based in Myanmar have long plagued Chinese citizens, with previous reports indicating over 100,000 individuals engaged in such activities across at least 1,000 centers. These scams often involved serious crimes, including illegal detention, assault, and even murder. Many victims were lured to Myanmar under false pretenses and coerced into participating in fraudulent activities.
This operation follows years of joint efforts between China and Myanmar to address the issue. In March, the two countries conducted a major raid in Myanmar's Muse region, resulting in over 800 arrests. By May, Chinese authorities reported that 49,000 suspects had been handed over by Myanmar since the campaign began.
However, fraudsters have adapted by relocating to harder-to-reach regions, including Wan Hai, Tangyan, and Myawaddy. Despite these challenges, authorities successfully targeted what they described as the last large-scale telecom fraud centers in the Tangyan region, apprehending 1,079 suspects in total. Among them, 763 were Chinese nationals.
The importance of cooperation was emphasized during a recent meeting between China's Premier Li Qiang and Myanmar's junta leader. Premier Li stressed the need for joint efforts to combat cross-border crimes, including telecom fraud and online gambling, which have caused extensive financial and social harm.
In addition to the arrests, law enforcement seized a wide range of evidence, including sophisticated technology and documents used in fraudulent schemes. Officials remain focused on disrupting the recruitment networks used to lure individuals into these criminal operations.
"These operations are critical to ensuring the safety of our citizens and protecting their property," an MPS spokesperson stated, reaffirming China's commitment to eradicating telecom fraud.
