Myanmar partners with Thailand to crack down on online fraud

Myanmar authorities will step up their crackdown on online fraud along the border with Thailand following talks on military cooperation between the two countries, Myanmar media reported on December 28.

Myanmar hợp tác Thái Lan trấn áp hoạt động lừa đảo trực tuyến

Myanmar's General Min Aung Hlaing (right) and Thailand's Lieutenant General Jakkapong Janpengpen discuss cooperation between the two countries' militaries on December 27. (Source: AFP)

Fraud syndicates have proliferated in Myanmar's border areas, including citizens from China and other countries who are forced to work to defraud their compatriots.

In recent weeks, Myanmar has arrested scam ring leaders from a militia-controlled area on the border with China and deported thousands of Chinese citizens in a crackdown on fraud.

According to Myanmar media, Myanmar's General Min Aung Hlaing and Thailand's Lieutenant General Jakkapong Janpengpen discussed cooperation between the two countries' militaries at a meeting held on December 27.

The two sides also discussed plans to eradicate online gambling and fraud in the area near the town of Myawaddy, on the Myanmar-Thailand border.

Myawaddy town is controlled by militias working in conjunction with government troops. Analysts say the areas around the town are hotbeds of drug production and online fraud sites.

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