Over 1,500 criminal suspects repatriated from Myanmar

Chinese police have repatriated more than 1,500 criminal suspects detained during a joint China-Myanmar-Thailand operation targeting online gambling and telecom fraud compounds in Myawaddy, Myanmar, the Ministry of Public Security said on Monday.

More than 630 buildings linked to fraud activities in KK Park in Myawaddy have been demolished, and all suspects involved in telecom fraud have been brought back to China, marking phased progress in the joint crackdown, the ministry said.

China, Myanmar and Thailand established a ministerial-level coordination mechanism in early 2025 to combat telecom fraud and have since carried out multiple joint operations. This year, Chinese task forces, with support from China's embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, held several consultations with counterparts in the two countries and conducted 10 joint repatriation operations.

An official from the Ministry of Public Security said China will continue to deepen international law enforcement cooperation, expand joint operations, dismantle criminal hubs and pursue suspects to consolidate gains against telecom fraud.

The ministry previously said that since October, Myanmar has launched a new round of enforcement actions in Myawaddy and other areas in line with trilateral agreements, arresting suspects and dismantling fraud compounds. On December 15, police from the three countries jointly inspected major fraud sites, including the KK compound and Asia Pacific New City. By Dec 25, more than 7,600 Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in online gambling and telecom fraud in the Myawaddy area had been repatriated.

Separately, Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, said during a national video conference on Feb 5 that China will step up comprehensive governance targeting fraud-related personnel, phone cards, networks and channels, strengthen coordination mechanisms and deepen international cooperation to further shrink the operating space for telecom fraud and contribute Chinese solutions to a global challenge.