Photo: CCTV

Myanmar law enforcement authorities handed over more than 920 Chinese telecom fraud suspects, previously apprehended in areas such as Tangyan and Mong Hsu in southern Shan State, to Chinese authorities via the Daluo border checkpoint in Xishuangbanna of Southwest China's Yunnan Province, as China and Myanmar have been strengthening law enforcement in cracking down telecom and online fraud crimes, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said on Wednesday. 

This marks a new achievement in the continued efforts of Chinese and Myanmar law enforcement agencies to combat telecom fraud deeper within Myanmar's territory, following the complete dismantling of large-scale fraud operations in northern Myanmar near the Chinese border, according to the MPS. 

As the special operation targeting telecom and online fraud crimes involving Chinese nationals in northern Myanmar continues to deepen, China and Myanmar have jointly arrested over 55,000 Chinese suspects through law enforcement cooperation and coordinated crackdowns, the MPS said. 

Telecom fraud syndicates in northern Myanmar have suffered severe blows. However, some suspects have evaded capture by relocating and hiding in deeper areas of Myanmar, such as Tangyan and Mong Hsu, where they have set up new fraud dens to continue cross-border telecom scams targeting Chinese citizens.

In response, Chinese public security authorities have intensified intelligence analysis and promptly provided information to the Myanmar side, assisting in identifying a new batch of fraud dens, the MPS said.  

Since March 24, Myanmar has launched several rounds of concentrated raids, resulting in the arrest of more than 920 Chinese suspects and the seizure of large quantities of equipment used in the crimes, including computers, mobile phones, bank cards, and fraud scripts. The MPS has now instructed local public security agencies to fully carry out investigations into the cases, the MPS said. 

A spokesperson for the MPS was quoted as saying in the media report that China and Myanmar remain firm in their commitment to combating telecom fraud, with no reduction in effort. 

Both sides will continue pushing forward with in-depth joint operations, maintaining persistent pressure, intensifying investigations, dismantling fraud dens, and bringing suspects to justice. At the same time, Chinese authorities warn telecom fraud criminals that being abroad does not place them beyond the reach of the law. They are urged to recognize the reality, abandon illusions, and return to China to surrender as soon as possible in hopes of receiving leniency, the MPS said.