Myanmar crisis raises trafficking concerns: Indian Envoy

The escalating turmoil in Myanmar has reverberated across its neighbors, including India and Thailand.

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Rebel militias intensifying their attacks against the Myanmar military junta have led to parts of the country slipping beyond central government control. One area of significant concern is Myawaddy, which briefly fell to rebels in April and remains embroiled in conflict.

This has meant that international criminal gangs, with support from some groups, have used the area to flourish a criminal enterprise involved in cyber fraud, phishing, and illegal gambling and betting. In a candid interview, Indian Ambassador to Thailand, Nagesh Singh, expressed grave concerns over the escalating crisis in Myanmar’s troubled regions, where ethnic armed groups have seized control, fostering a breeding ground for criminal syndicates and illicit activities.

Singh highlighted the severe challenges posed by the rampant operations of the Chinese mafia, orchestrating online scams, illegal casinos, and human trafficking networks across Myanmar’s lawless territories.

“Large parts of Myanmar are being controlled by various armed groups. There is no central authority with whom you can deal,” he stated.