Myanmar's military government has arrested nearly 1,600 foreign nationals in a crackdown on online scam centers near the Myanmar-Thailand border.
According to Myanmar's official media, the Global New Light of Myanmar, the latest statistics released by the military government show that from November 18 to 22, 1,590 foreigners who illegally entered Myanmar were arrested during raids on gambling and scam centers in Shuigou Valley.
The report stated: "Authorities also seized 2,893 computers, 21,750 mobile phones, 101 Starlink satellite receivers, 21 routers, and a large amount of industrial materials used in online fraud and gambling activities."
The report pointed out that on just one day, November 22, 223 people suspected of engaging in online scams and gambling activities in Shuigou Valley were detained, including 100 Chinese citizens.
Last month, an AFP investigation revealed that Starlink satellite internet receivers were being widely installed at scam sites. Following that, Elon Musk's company stated that it had shut down more than 2,500 Starlink devices in areas suspected to be near Myanmar scam centers.
Observers Call It a Publicity Stunt
Nevertheless, some observers believe that the recent raids launched by Myanmar's military government last month are merely a cover to ease pressure from China.
For a long time, the military government has been accused of turning a blind eye to illegal industries. However, under pressure from China, the military has launched crackdowns since February this year and has heavily promoted them.
According to a United Nations report, in Southeast Asia and East Asia alone, scam victims lost as much as US$37 billion (about RM153.7 billion) in 2023.
The report said that global losses may be "much higher than this number."