(Naypyidaw, 20th) Myanmar authorities continue to crack down on illegal immigration and cybercrime activities. Recently, 45 foreign nationals were lawfully deported via the Myanmar-Thailand Second Friendship Bridge back to their home countries. Those involved include 17 Ethiopians, 16 Ugandans, 11 Filipinos, and 1 Madagascan.
Myanmar officials pointed out that these foreign nationals all illegally entered the Myawady region in Kayin State via the borders with Thailand and other neighboring countries, and engaged in illegal activities such as online gambling and cyber fraud in the Myawady–Shwe Kokko area. On humanitarian grounds and under the principle of mutual trust among nations, authorities arranged deportation in accordance with legal procedures.
To ensure the deportation process was orderly, efficient, and smooth, members of the Myawady District Administration and Management Committee, Lieutenant Colonel San Rui, and relevant officials convened a coordination meeting with related departments beforehand, verified the deportation list and personal information to ensure accuracy, and completed all necessary arrangements.
Subsequently, a handover ceremony was held, attended by Deputy Director of the Myawady District Immigration and Population Department Kyaw Kyaw Dan, Police Superintendent Neftali Adia Donato of the Philippine Police Commissioner’s Office, Kritia Zandanamaraka, representative of Madagascar in Myanmar, Tana Judah Hila, representative of the embassies of Ethiopia and Uganda, as well as officials from Tak Province Immigration Bureau of Thailand. Myanmar officials formally handed over relevant documents and evidence to representatives of each country.
The Myanmar government revealed that from January 30, 2025, to January 19, 2026, a total of 14,151 foreign nationals who illegally entered Myawady Town were detained and investigated. Of these, 12,152 have been systematically repatriated according to procedure via Thailand, and another 1,999 have completed deportation preparations and are currently being properly cared for and awaiting handover.
The authorities emphasized that the Myanmar government is actively cooperating with neighboring and regional countries and international organizations to identify, arrest, and vigorously crack down on online fraud centers and their ringleaders. At the same time, coordination efforts are being intensified to ensure that foreign nationals who have been victimized or trafficked for various reasons can return to their respective countries as quickly and safely as possible.
To ensure the deportation process was orderly, efficient, and smooth, members of the Myawady District Administration and Management Committee, Lieutenant Colonel San Rui, and relevant officials convened a coordination meeting with related departments beforehand, verified the deportation list and personal information to ensure accuracy, and completed all necessary arrangements.
Subsequently, a handover ceremony was held, attended by Deputy Director of the Myawady District Immigration and Population Department Kyaw Kyaw Dan, Police Superintendent Neftali Adia Donato of the Philippine Police Commissioner’s Office, Kritia Zandanamaraka, representative of Madagascar in Myanmar, Tana Judah Hila, representative of the embassies of Ethiopia and Uganda, as well as officials from Tak Province Immigration Bureau of Thailand. Myanmar officials formally handed over relevant documents and evidence to representatives of each country.
The Myanmar government revealed that from January 30, 2025, to January 19, 2026, a total of 14,151 foreign nationals who illegally entered Myawady Town were detained and investigated. Of these, 12,152 have been systematically repatriated according to procedure via Thailand, and another 1,999 have completed deportation preparations and are currently being properly cared for and awaiting handover.
The authorities emphasized that the Myanmar government is actively cooperating with neighboring and regional countries and international organizations to identify, arrest, and vigorously crack down on online fraud centers and their ringleaders. At the same time, coordination efforts are being intensified to ensure that foreign nationals who have been victimized or trafficked for various reasons can return to their respective countries as quickly and safely as possible.