MYANMAR WARNS FOREIGN CYBERCRIME MASTERMINDS AFTER DEPORTING 1,000 SCAMMERS

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Myanmar deported over 1,000 foreign nationals involved in online scamming and warned that it will continue to track down those masterminding cybercrimes on its soil, said the state media. 

Myanmar’s Deputy Home Minister Major General Toe Yi said the government managed to identify and deport 1,242 foreigners to their respective countries between Jan 1, 2022 and Nov 22, 2024, reported The Global New Light of Myanmar.

The news comes fresh after Bangkok Post on Monday published that Thai security officers saved 39 foreigners believed to be victims of a call centre along its borders.

Thirty-two Sri Lankans, five Nepalese, a Malaysian and a Russian fled from their scam centres, said the newspaper. 

The rising cybercrime in Myanmar is gaining negative international media attention and raising cause for alarm in the region. 

The  Supervisory Committee on Prompt Legal Action and Deportation of Foreigners Who Enter Myanmar Illegally and Yangon-based diplomats held talks on Wednesday to address the criminal activities. 

“Myanmar is actively working to identify and deport foreign nationals who have entered the country illegally, particularly those involved in online fraud operations.

“These measures are taken in accordance with the law, established procedures, and principles of mutual respect and humanitarian considerations,” said Toe Yi.

The minister also said that security operations are in progress to uncover clandestine activities involving online scamming and foreigners orchestrating this Internet-based crime. 

Online cybercrime hubs mushroomed in the country following the 2021 military coup that removed the civilian government, which also led to the armed confrontation with ethnic minorities. 

The United States Institute of Peace in September said: “The evolving situation poses a direct threat to the national interests of Thailand, the US, Malaysia and dozens of other countries across Europe, Africa and South Asia, now targeted by Myanmar-based criminals”. 

-- BERNAMA