By Junior Thin
The State Government has called on the public to cooperate actively in efforts to detect, expose and suppress online scams and illegal online gambling, warning that the crimes are no longer isolated offences but cross-border threats with consequences for national security, public safety and the wider economy.
In an appeal issued to the public, the government said criminal groups operating online had entered Myanmar illegally across border areas and established activities that could harm communities inside the country while also targeting victims in other countries. The statement described online scams and online gambling as organised criminal activities that have caused serious problems in many parts of the world.
The appeal comes as authorities continue to investigate reports about groups using houses and other compounds as bases for internet-based fraud and gambling operations. According to the statement, members of the public provided information that individuals suspected of involvement in such activities were staying near Naik Hkwan Village, close to the border of Thibaw Township in northern Shan State.
A joint team of security personnel then travelled to the area, conducted inquiries and searched a house. On 15 September, the team arrested 13 people who were allegedly involved in online scam and gambling activities, the statement said. Equipment believed to be connected with the operation was seized and will be handled in accordance with established procedures. Legal action will be taken after the necessary investigations have been completed.
The statement did not describe the full scale of the alleged operation or identify all of the people arrested. Such details are expected to depend on the outcome of the investigation. The use of the term “alleged” is important because the suspects remain subject to the legal process and any charges must be established through evidence and the courts.
Online scams can take many forms. Criminal networks may create fake investment opportunities, send messages pretending to be banks or government agencies, or use social-media accounts to build trust before requesting money. Some victims are promised high-paying jobs and later discover that their personal information, bank accounts, or digital devices have been used for illegal purposes. Others are deceived through fake online shops, false loan offers or messages claiming that a relative is in urgent need of assistance.
Online gambling creates a different but related risk. Illegal gambling platforms often attract users with small prizes, promotional bonuses and promises of quick income. Once users deposit money, however, they may face hidden charges, manipulated games or the loss of their entire savings. Families can also suffer when a household member borrows money, sells property or uses wages to continue gambling. Young people who encounter gambling advertisements on social-media platforms may be especially vulnerable because they may not understand the long-term financial and psychological consequences.
The effects are not limited to individual victims. Scam proceeds may be moved through multiple accounts, digital wallets, and informal money-transfer channels. This makes it harder to trace criminal income and creates risks for people whose accounts are misused as part of the process. Businesses may also suffer when customers lose confidence in online payments or when legitimate companies are impersonated by fraudsters.
The government said it was taking effective and severe action under existing laws against people found to be operating online scam and gambling businesses. It also said Myanmar was cooperating with neighbouring countries, other regional states and international organisations to identify criminal networks, arrest those involved and prevent such activities from becoming established in the country.
Cross-border cooperation is particularly important because the people who organize an online scam may be in one country, the workers forced to operate the scheme may be moved through another country, and the victims may live thousands of kilometres away. Information sharing, joint investigations and the safe return of foreign nationals are therefore necessary parts of the response.
The appeal also referred to foreign nationals who had entered Myanmar illegally, as well as people who had encountered difficulties for various reasons and victims of human trafficking. Authorities said arrangements were being made to repatriate such individuals to their respective countries as soon as possible. This distinction is significant because people found inside a scam compound may not all have the same role. Some may be organizers or operators, while others may have been recruited through deception, threatened with violence or prevented from leaving.
Community cooperation can help authorities respond more quickly. Residents who notice unusual movements, heavily guarded buildings, large numbers of people working at night or repeated deliveries of communication equipment can report their concerns through appropriate official channels. Members of the public should avoid confronting suspected criminal groups directly, since doing so could create additional danger or interfere with an investigation.
People can also reduce their own risk by refusing to share onetime passwords, identity documents, bank details or digital-wallet information with unknown callers and online contacts. Job seekers should verify recruitment companies, contracts and travel arrangements before accepting overseas employment. Anyone who loses money or suspects that an account has been used for fraud should preserve messages, payment records and account information and report the matter promptly.
Authorities, technology companies and financial institutions also have responsibilities. Public warnings should be clear and accessible, suspicious accounts should be reviewed quickly, and victims should be treated as people in need of assistance rather than simply as sources of information. Effective enforcement must be accompanied by measures that protect personal data, support trafficking victims and ensure that investigations are conducted lawfully.
The government’s appeal ultimately places public participation at the centre of the campaign. Online crime cannot be eliminated by arrests alone. It also requires public awareness, responsible digital behaviour, reliable reporting systems and cooperation between countries. The 15 September operation near Naik Hkwan Village demonstrates the value of information supplied by members of the public, while the wider challenge shows why sustained cooperation is needed.
As online services become more deeply connected to everyday life, preventing scams and illegal gambling will require constant vigilance. By checking information before sending money, reporting suspicious activity and supporting people who have been trafficked or deceived, the public can help prevent criminal networks from expanding and protect both local communities and internet users around the world.
Ultimately, combatting online scams and illegal gambling requires the cooperation of both authorities and the public. Strong law enforcement, public awareness, and international cooperation are essential to prevent criminal networks from expanding. By staying alert, reporting suspicious activities, and using online services responsibly, people can help protect themselves, their communities, and others from the growing threat of online crime.
Reference: Yadanabon Daily (18 September 2026)
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