Mizzima-Mar 9
The Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) is preparing to repatriate approximately 1,500 Chinese nationals from Myawaddy Township, where they were detained for their involvement in online fraud. However, key figures behind these scams will not be among those transferred, BGF spokesperson Lt. Col. Naing Maung Zaw told Mizzima on 6 March. Since 14 February, BGF’s anti-human trafficking teams have arrested over 7,000 individuals from more than 30 countries, including thousands of women, linked to online fraud operations along the Thai-Myanmar border. The second group of 1,439 Chinese detainees is scheduled to be handed over to Thai authorities via the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge (2) between 6 and 9 March. However, the masterminds of these operations remain in custody. “The leaders we have arrested will not be easily released or handed over to their countries like the others. Capturing them is not easy, as they are significant figures, and the government will take the necessary actions against them,” Lt. Col. Naing Maung Zaw said.
Following this transfer, over 5,000 foreign nationals will remain under BGF detention. In BGF-controlled areas, including Shwe Kokko, special operations teams have intensified crackdowns on smuggling and human trafficking. As a result, online scams, casinos, and related activities have largely ceased operations. “Shwe Kokko is not the crime hub it is often portrayed as. A small group was involved in online scams, but these activities have almost disappeared following our crackdown,” Lt. Col. Naing Maung Zaw said.
Read more at: https://eng.mizzima.com/2025/03/09/19905
