February 08
TODAY, I will reply to questions raised by the media about the efforts of the government in combatting online scams and other criminal activities and people’s military service issues.
Myanmar’s government cooperates with international communities in effectively combatting online scams and other crimes. On 3 February this year, the Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister instructed Union ministers and chief ministers of regions and states to effectively take action against online scams and gambling as the State faces hardships due to these crimes at the Union government’s meeting. The Prime Minister also said that the government is actively cooperating with international communities in eradicating criminal cases. He stressed the need to strictly handle exposing and taking action against those who committed online gambling and scams in addition to other criminal cases. Moreover, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to follow his guidance to take effective action against officials from relevant regions if they are involved in crimes in addition to those who committed drug cases and other crimes. With regard to combatting the online gambling cases, a total of 61 persons – 39 Chinese, one from Kazakhstan, five from Indonesia, one from Ethiopia, one from Pakistan, one from Malaysia and 13 from India who were forcibly trafficked to commit online scams and gambling in Shwekokko and KK Park near Myawady on the Thai-Myanmar border – were exposed, and officials from Myanmar government, Myanmar Police Force and Immigration Body handed them over to officials from Thailand on 6 February 2025. According to the confessions, they were lured online to work at computerized jobs and translation employment with high salaries. They initially arrived in Mae Sot on the Myanmar-Thai border via Bangkok, Thailand, from their relevant countries. Representatives from online gambling and scam businesses took them illegally crossing the Thaungyin River of the Thai-Myanmar border and forcibly ordered them to work at online scams and gambling businesses in Shwekokko and KK Park, Myawady.
Likewise, the government is accelerating an operation to combat criminal cases related to online gambling and scams in the eastern part of the northeast of Shan State. On 5 February, acting on a tip-off that scams and gambling were being undertaken, security forces went to the Mongha area in Mongyai, Shan State, and inspected the region. They found seven buildings where scams and gambling activities were conducted near Nawnghan Village in the Mongha region, Mongyai Township. Hence, they combed the area and seized arms, ammunition, 181 mobile phones, 25 laptops, 21 desktops, 28 keyboards, two Wi-Fi devices, two sets of Starlink internet communication devices, solar panels, and batteries used in online scam and gambling processes.
At the same time, security forces took security measures at the site, southeast of Mongyai Town but faced the firing of five armed insurgents who protected the online gambling and scams. So, the security forces counterattacked them. In the incidents, some casualties happened. In this regard, seven Chinese males and one female, eight Myanmar males and four females were arrested with six arms. The area was combed in detail on 6 February. At that time, three more Chinese males and one female who hid themselves in two places, southwest of Mongkaung were arrested. Moreover, the security forces searched the southwest of Mongkaung and arrested 18 Vietnamese females, two Myanmar males and 25 females, totalling 45 were arrested with 72 computers, five Starlink internet devices, 79 assorted mobile phones, five gaming machines and two vehicles. Those arrestees will be under necessary investigation and more processes will be conducted under the work procedures.
Regarding online gambling and scamming, the Myanmar government issued a transparent press release on 20 January about the ongoing crackdown on online gambling operations in border areas. The SAC Chairman Prime Minister instructed the government organizations during a government meeting, emphasizing that online scams and gambling are not only crimes against Myanmar citizens but also crimes against humanity. The Myanmar government stated that it will take decisive action against these crimes in collaboration with international organizations.
For one more issue, he explained that after issuing the People’s Military Service Rules, malicious media and terrorist instigators are working to mislead and intimidate the public. Arrangements have already been made to allow extensive reading and study of the People’s Military Servants Law. It can be accessed on the websites and web portals of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Information, the Myawady web portal, and the Myanmar National Portal. Moreover, the Central Committee for Summoning People’s Military Servants has announced that inquiries related to conscription, as well as complaints about misconduct, can be made through official channels. However, it also warns that false reports or misinformation will be investigated, and appropriate action will be taken under existing laws.
Furthermore, it has already been updated to display the listed phone numbers in that location. Regarding this, reports have been made from this area, leading to investigations and action being taken against misconduct. In addition, both the People’s Military Service Law and Rules specify the required ages for men and women. Based on this, there have been findings of threats directed at women. What I want to make clear is that although the People’s Military Service Law and Rules technically include provisions for women to serve, there is currently no plan to conscript female people’s military personnel.
