Myanmar
Myanmar to deport over 7,000 detained foreigners via Thailand, including one Singaporean
Myanmar’s Border Guard Forces (BGF) will deport 7,118 foreigners from 29 nations via Thailand following a crackdown on call-centre scam gangs in Myawaddy. The list includes one Singaporean among detainees from China, India, Vietnam, and other countries. Embassies have been notified to arrange repatriation.
Myanmar’s Border Guard Forces (BGF) are preparing to deport 7,118 foreign nationals from 29 countries via Thailand following extensive crackdowns on call-centre scam operations in Myawaddy.
The crackdown, which targeted scam hubs in KK Park and Shwe Kokko, has led to the mass detention of individuals linked to these illegal operations.
A report by Nation Thailand on 26 February confirmed that the BGF has compiled a list of detained foreigners and has informed their respective embassies to facilitate repatriation.
The largest group of detainees consists of 4,860 Chinese nationals, followed by 572 from Vietnam and 526 from India.
Other nationalities include those from Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Ethiopia, and several African and European countries. Among them, only one Singaporean has been identified.
To facilitate the deportations, the BGF has been coordinating with the Rajamanu Taskforce under Thailand’s Naresuan Command, which oversees border security in Tak province’s Mae Sot district, directly opposite Myawaddy.
The transfer process is expected to be managed through Thailand before individuals are sent back to their home countries.
The crackdown on these scam operations comes amid growing regional concerns over transnational crime networks involved in online fraud.
Many of these operations reportedly force victims to work in scam centres under inhumane conditions.
In response to the escalating cybercrime threat, Thai authorities have also taken direct action.
In recent months, Thai officials have conducted their own investigations and arrests, targeting scam networks operating along the Myanmar border.
Additionally, in an effort to disrupt the infrastructure supporting these criminal enterprises, Thai authorities cut off electricity supplies to several scam hubs in Myawaddy, dealing a major blow to their operations.
Thailand has been a key transit point for deportations and extraditions related to scam operations in Myanmar.
The ongoing crackdown and coordinated efforts with neighbouring countries reflect a broader push to dismantle cybercrime syndicates operating in the region.
| Country | Number of Detainees |
|---|---|
| China | 4,860 |
| Vietnam | 572 |
| India | 526 |
| Ethiopia | 430 |
| Indonesia | 283 |
| Philippines | 127 |
| Malaysia | 70 |
| Pakistan | 68 |
| Kenya | 64 |
| Nepal | 17 |
| South Africa | 17 |
| Uganda | 13 |
| Bangladesh | 6 |
| Cameroon | 6 |
| Ghana | 6 |
| Sri Lanka | 8 |
| Uzbekistan | 8 |
| Nigeria | 7 |
| Central African Republic | 9 |
| Rwanda | 4 |
| Namibia | 4 |
| Tunisia | 3 |
| Taiwan | 2 |
| Cambodia | 2 |
| Czech Republic | 2 |
| Algeria | 1 |
| Romania | 1 |
| Laos | 1 |
| Singapore | 1 |
