Online scams and online gambling activities have been operating in border areas of Myanmar where ethnic armed organizations are active, including northern Shan State areas such as Namkham, Muse, Laukkai, Chinshwehaw, Pangsang, Mongla, and Tachilek along the Myanmar-China border, and the areas along the Myanmar-Thailand border in Kayin State such as Shwe Kokko, Myawady, Maehtawthalay, Minletpan, and Payathonzu. These activities are considered a national security threat and affect the population, with their consequences being severely felt by many countries.
The government also accelerates the suppression of online scams and online gambling as a national duty, and is working with domestic stakeholders as well as neighbouring countries to ensure that such activities cannot be established within Myanmar anymore.
Most of the seizures are found in Shan and Kayin States. Between 5 October 2023 and 28 May 2026, a total of 72,619 undocumented foreign nationals involved in online scams, casino operations, unlicensed massage businesses, illegal prostitution, and other unlawful activities were identified and arrested in border areas of Myanmar. In line with humanitarian considerations and bilateral relations, they were not prosecuted under domestic law but were repatriated to their respective countries in accordance with legal procedures.
A total of 56,918 illegal foreign nationals involved in telecom fraud in Shan State were repatriated through various border gates and checkpoints, including the Moneh Bridge, Yanlon Kyaing Gate, BP-58, BP-125, Nantpha Haw Gate, Mang Wein Gate, Pang Wine Town, Ronghel Gate, Taloh Gate, BP-240, Mae Sai Gate, Tachilek Bridge No 1 and No 2, and ports in Laos such as Mong Maw and Wam Pong.
Similarly, the combined task force investigated the illegal foreigners in Myawady of Kayin State starting 30 January 2025, and as of 26 May 2026, they detained 14,685 undocumented foreign nationals, and 13,521 illegal ones were repatriated to their respective countries.
Moreover, the illegal foreign nationals, including Myanmar nationals involved in online scams and online gambling, were investigated and taken action in accordance with the law. Between 1 January and 31 December 2023, authorities detained and took action against 49 Myanmar males and 63 Myanmar females and seven male foreigners from 15 cases of Yangon Region and Shan State, whereas between 1 January and 31 December 2024, 431 Myanmar males, 327 Myanmar females and 761 male foreigners from 66 cases of Mandalay Region, Yangon Region and Shan State.
Between 1 January and 31 December 2025, the offenders included 232 Myanmar males, 180 Myanmar females, 370 male foreigners and 20 female foreigners from 41 cases of Mandalay Region, Yangon Region, Mon State and Shan State.
Between 1 January and 28 May 2026, there were 214 Myanmar males, 244 Myanmar females, 447 male foreigners and 62 female foreigners from 23 cases of Mandalay Region, Yangon Region, Kayin State and Shan State.
Therefore, from 1 January 2023 to 28 May 2026, authorities arrested and took action against 1,740 Myanmar nationals, 926 males and 814 females, from 145 cases, and 1,693 foreigners, 1,585 males and 108 females.
Similarly, the online scam hubs are being demolished in Shan and Kayin States. There are 1,090 illegal buildings — 308 buildings in Shan State and 782 buildings in Kayin State. These buildings were demolished from 5 February 2025 to 28 May 2026, and 962 buildings have been demolished so far. The remaining 128 buildings in Kayin State will also be destroyed.
A total of 308 online scam bubbles in 16 townships of Shan State were destroyed between 5 February 2025 and 28 May 2026.
Similarly, 634 illegal buildings in the KK Park area of Myawady township of Kayin State were demolished from 23 October 2025 to 8 January 2026 in three phases using explosives and machinery.
In phase 1, 147 buildings were destroyed between 23 October and 19 November 2025; in phase 2, it included 62 buildings between 1 and 8 January 2026; and in phase 3, 425 buildings were destroyed between 17 November 2025 and 6 January 2026.
Moreover, there were 77 illegal buildings operating online gambling in Shwe Kokko in Myawady township, and 27 buildings were destroyed so far as of 2 June 2026; the remaining 50 buildings will also be demolished.
The authorities also destroyed 3,310 computers and monitors, 21,870 mobile phones, 102 Starlink devices, casino equipment and 22 routers seized near Shwe Kokko Myaing village and 82 computers and 92 mobile phones seized in 69 KTV compound beside Myawady-Maehtawthalay road in Ward 3 in Myawady starting 18 November 2025.
The online fraud and gambling activities are being addressed under the Cyber Security Law, and related crimes such as human trafficking, smuggling, forced labour, and money laundering are also being effectively prosecuted. A draft law on anti-online scams was released on 14 May 2026 for public awareness and suggestions. — MNA/KTZH
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