Global push forcing Myanmar to curb scam centres: Sources

Junta leader reportedly orders powerful local militia into action after US forms 'strike force'

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By Nov 18, soldiers from Myanmar's military and the KNA began operations around the frontier town of Myawaddy, a major hub for scam operations and human trafficking that houses multiple compounds. PHOTO: AFP

(AFP)

A day after Myanmar’s junta leader visited the southeastern city of Hpa-An last week, two sources said army officers met members of a powerful local militia with a directive: They had to crack down on burgeoning scam centres on the Thai-Myanmar border immediately.

Online scam operations along the frontier are part of Southeast Asian criminal networks spanning countries, including Myanmar and Cambodia, that generate billions of dollars every year by defrauding people across the world, often using human trafficking victims.

At the Nov 16 meeting, officers told members of the Karen National Army (KNA) sanctioned in May by the US Treasury Department for facilitating cyber scams, human trafficking and smuggling that the instructions had come directly from the junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, according to two sources aware of the discussions.

“(Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing) met military officials and stated that the scam centre issue was severely damaging the country’s international reputation,” said one source with direct knowledge, referring to the junta chief's orders.

“He urged them to carry out an aggressive crackdown before the election,” the source added, referring to the junta’s multi-phase general election, starting on Dec 28, which has been widely derided as a sham to perpetuate the military’s control.