200 Chinese Telecom Fraud Suspects Repatriated from Myanmar in Major Law Enforcement Collaboration

Chinese Citizens Suspected of Telecom Fraud Repatriated from Myanmar

A group of 200 Chinese citizens suspected of involvement in telecom fraud arrived in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Thursday. They were escorted by Chinese police after being repatriated from Myanmar.

The suspects were initially sent to Thailand's Mae Sot, which borders Myanmar's Myawaddy. From there, they were flown back to China on four chartered flights. The first flight landed at Nanjing Lukou International Airport in the afternoon.

This repatriation marks a significant achievement in law enforcement cooperation among China, Myanmar, and Thailand to tackle telecom fraud. The move comes as the three countries have stepped up efforts to crack down on transnational crimes, including telecom and cyberspace fraud, originating from scam compounds in Myawaddy.

The Ministry of Public Security described the repatriation as "major progress in close coordination among the three countries." Working groups from China visited Thailand and Myanmar in January to hold discussions with law enforcement departments. They reached a consensus to establish a joint mechanism targeting telecom fraud and human trafficking.

Thailand cut off electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to Myawaddy and strengthened patrols to prevent illegal border crossings by individuals involved in fraud. Myanmar deployed forces to raid telecom fraud dens in Myawaddy, arresting suspects and rescuing Chinese nationals trapped in scam operations. These joint efforts led to the capture of a large number of suspects in Myawaddy.

The 200 suspects repatriated on Thursday were escorted by Jiangsu police, who are expected to bring more than 800 other suspects back to China. Police will conduct thorough investigations into the cases involving these suspects.

The Ministry of Public Security emphasized that telecom fraud and other transnational crimes have become a global challenge, requiring strengthened international law enforcement cooperation. China, Myanmar, and Thailand will carry out joint operations to combat such crimes on a regular basis.

Chinese police will deepen cooperation with more countries to rescue individuals trapped in scam operations, hunt down financial supporters and key members of criminal gangs, and eliminate crime dens.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that fighting online gambling and scams is essential to safeguard the common interests of countries in the region and is a shared aspiration of people of all countries. China is working closely with countries like Thailand and Myanmar to address both the symptoms and root causes of such crimes.