Chinese suspects are escorted back to China following a joint China-Myanmar-Thailand operation, with 952 individuals extradited. Photo: Screenshot from the video released by WeChat account of China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) Criminal Investigation Bureau

A joint operation by China, Myanmar, and Thailand has struck gambling and telecom fraud zones in Myanmar's Myawaddy region, demolishing 494 buildings related to crimes at the KK Park, completely clearing the Yatai New City fraud hub, with 952 Chinese suspects extradited back to China, according to a Thursday release on the WeChat account of China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) Criminal Investigation Bureau.

Recently, the Ministry of Public Security dispatched a task force to join law enforcement authorities from Myanmar and Thailand in Myawaddy, coordinating operations, raiding gambling and fraud zones in a new round of concentrated crackdowns, according to the release.

A trilateral meeting of China, Myanmar and Thailand about striking gambling and telecom fraud zones in Myanmar's Myawaddy region. Photo: Screenshot from a video released by the WeChat account of China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) Criminal Investigation Bureau

Criminal gangs in Myawaddy's gambling and telecom fraud zones have long carried out large-scale telecom and online fraud targeting Chinese citizens, causing serious harm. 

Earlier this year, China, Myanmar, and Thailand established a ministerial-level coordination mechanism to jointly combat telecom and online fraud, carrying out multiple rounds of joint operations. Since October, Myanmar authorities, following prior agreements with China and Thailand, have conducted a new round of crackdowns in Myawaddy and other areas, arresting suspects and dismantling gambling and fraud facilities, the release said.

On December 15, police task forces from three countries went to Myawaddy's KK Park and Yatai New City and other large gambling and fraud parks together for the first time. They jointly inspected the effectiveness of intensive crackdowns and studies subsequent measures such as crackdowns, joint control and rapid repatriation. From December 16 to 19, the MPS organized police units from Jilin and Henan provinces to escort the captured suspects back to China.

Through joint efforts by China, Myanmar, and Thailand, more than 7,600 Chinese nationals involved in online gambling and telecom fraud in Myawaddy have been repatriated back this year. Some 494 buildings at KK Park have been demolished and the Yatai New City fraud zone has been thoroughly cleaned up.

Buildings were demolished at Myanmar's Myanmar's Myawaddy region. Photo: screenshot of video released by MPS Criminal Investigation Bureau

A senior official with the MPS said that telecom and online fraud is a common challenge faced by the international community. Chinese police have vowed to work with law enforcement agencies in more countries with greater resolve and stronger measures, continue to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation, and jointly crack down on such crimes to effectively safeguard the lives and property of the public, according to the release.  

Global Times