Regime detains 2,000 foreigners in cyber scam raids; 7 political prisoners released in Ayeyarwady Region

Regime detains nearly 2,000 foreigners in cyber scam raids

Regime media reported on Sunday that a total of 1,954 undocumented foreign nationals have been detained at cyber scam centers in Myawaddy Township’s Shwe Kokko and KK Park, located along the Burma-Thailand border in Karen State, in ongoing operations since Nov. 18. Shwe Kokko is 16 miles (25 km) north of Myawaddy and KK Park is 5-24 miles (8-40 km) south of Myawaddy and Shwe Kokko.

The U.N. estimates that at least 120,000 people have been lured into Burma to work in cyber scams. A total of 276 out of 635 buildings have been demolished in KK Park with 119 buildings sealed at Shwe Kokko to prevent their reuse in scam operations, according to the regime, which has seized 3,310 computers, 21,870 mobile phones, 102 Starlink satellite receivers, and 22 routers—all of which have been reportedly destroyed. 

The regime also stated on Nov. 30 that a total of 12,945 foreign nationals, who entered Burma illegally have been detained, with 10,029 of them being already repatriated to their home countries via Thailand between Jan. 30 and Nov. 30. The remaining 2,916 foreign nationals are being held by pro-regime forces inside Burma while awaiting transfer to their respective countries.