Police in China and Myanmar detain 269 in cyber scam crackdown
- Joint operation brings down 11 criminal bases in northern Myanmar in one of biggest stings on cybercrime gangs in Southeast Asian country
- It is the latest in Beijing’s efforts to root out fraudsters who frequently target Chinese nationals
More than 200 suspects involved in Myanmar-based cyber scams have been detained by police in one of the largest joint crackdowns between Beijing and the Southeast Asian country, China’s Ministry of Public Security announced on Tuesday.
The operation brought down 11 cyber scam bases in northern Myanmar, where 269 fraud suspects were detained, including 186 Chinese nationals who have been repatriated, according to a statement from the ministry.
Among those detained were 21 people who played key roles in scams involving 120 million yuan (US$16.5 million).
It did not give details about how the crackdown was carried out. Photos showed suspects being escorted off buses in the presence of Chinese police officers. The Chinese Ministry of Public Security has yet to respond to questions from the Post.
The operation is the latest in China’s efforts to root out Myanmar-based gangs that frequently target Chinese nationals, luring them with investment schemes and promises of love or employment, then detaining them and forcing them to work as phone operators, computer programmers and other jobs as part of online scams.