New reports are surfacing from Thailand of a massive arrest of over 1,000 scammers in what is being reported as a wipe-out of all of the scam centers in Myanmar.
In the Myanmar town of Tangyan, an ethnic minority militia known as the United Wa State Army, or UWSA, deported more than 760 Chinese nationals and confiscated equipment from scam centers.
The rumors were confirmed by a spokesperson for the rebel group that turned over the scammers to Chinese authorities.
“It’s true. We arrested around 1,000 Zhapian operators in Tangyan Township, where the UWSA operates. Among them, 762 Chinese nationals were handed over to China via the border gate.”
Cell Phones, Starlink, And Other Devices Seize
The arrest and raiding of the scam compounds occurred after the rebel army sent over 2,000 troops into the area in July. Since then, there have been several mass arrests, but this is the largest.
As part of the raid, they seized 76 Starlink internet devices, around 1,500 mobile phones, computers, and related equipment and turned them over to the Chinese police as well.
The rebel army was reportedly protecting the scam compounds, according to recent articles that were published as recently as October of 2024.
It’s not clear why they abruptly changed and turned on the scammers but they are now touting the mass arrest as eradicating all scammers from the area.
Residents Say Many Scam Centers Are Left
Is the mass arrest just a dent in the problem and not the wipe-out that is being reported? Perhaps, according to Radio Free Asia, residents say scam compounds still exist there after the arrest.
“There are still many online scam centers and casinos left,” said a Tangyan resident who declined to be identified for fear of reprisals.