The Myanmar military junta has intensified operations against scam centres along the Thai-Myanmar border, responding to mounting international pressure from the U.S., China, and other stakeholders. The crackdown follows directives from junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, aiming to curb criminal networks that have long operated with relative impunity in the region.

Junta Directives and Militia Cooperation

Sources indicate that last week, following Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Hpa-An, army officers met with the Karen National Army (KNA)—a local militia sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in May for involvement in cyber scams, human trafficking, and smuggling. Officers instructed the militia to suppress scam operations immediately, emphasizing that these activities were damaging Myanmar’s international reputation ahead of the multi-phase general election starting on 28 December.

“We must solve the problem ourselves,” a military official reportedly said, highlighting concerns over potential U.S. investigations following the launch of a new U.S. government “Strike Force”, including the FBI and Secret Service, targeting cross-border scam operations.

Unlike other ethnic militias, the junta maintains close links with the KNA, which it relies on to implement enforcement in far-flung border regions.

Scale of the Crackdown

Operations have begun in the frontier town of Myawaddy, a major hub for scam centres and human trafficking. Myanmar state media reports:

• 180+ buildings demolished
• Over 1,000 foreign nationals detained
• 2,653 computers and 21,750 mobile phones seized

KNA spokesperson Naing Maung Zaw stated that the militia led the operations, with military support facilitating smoother enforcement.

Background on Scam Operations

Southeast Asian scam centres emerged in the 1990s from loosely regulated casinos and online gambling, expanding rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Myawaddy complex Shwe Kokko, established in 2017 by Yatai International Holdings Group, initially promoted itself as a casino and entertainment hub but became a centre for fraud and human trafficking, according to the United States Institute of Peace. The company denies any criminal activity.

The operations gained international attention after the abduction and release of a Chinese actor in Thailand in January 2025, triggering multinational scrutiny. Thailand’s extradition of gambling kingpin She Zhijiang to China last week added further pressure on Myanmar authorities to act.

International Pressure

Experts, including Jason Tower of the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime, note that the combined pressure from the U.S. and China has forced the Myanmar military and KNA to take action:

“The Myanmar military now sees that the international community is mobilizing to address the massive threat posed by scam centres to global security,” Tower said.

The crackdown signals a shift after years of limited enforcement, demonstrating the junta’s response to rising geopolitical scrutiny over criminal networks operating in Southeast Asia.

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Key Takeaways

• Myanmar junta intensifies crackdown on scam centres along the Thai border.
• Over 180 buildings demolished and 1,000+ foreign nationals detained in Myawaddy.
• Operations led by Karen National Army (KNA) with military support.
• International pressure from the U.S. “Strike Force” and China cited as a major factor.
• Scam networks linked to human trafficking, online fraud, and gambling operations.