Myanmar has intensified its campaign against transnational crime, confirming the detention of 151 foreign nationals in Kayin State.
This mass arrest underscores the substantial scope of the government’s efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating across Southeast Asia and targeting victims across the continent through online gambling and telecom fraud.
The arrests occurred in the Maehtawthalay (KK Park) area of Myawady, situated near the crucial Thailand border. According to The Global New Light of Myanmar, authorities detained 150 Indian nationals and one South Korean.
Investigators have confirmed that the group entered the country illegally and were actively engaged in online gambling operations and extensive telecom scam activities.
Officials are now meticulously compiling the detainees’ personal records to prepare for their repatriation under Myanmar’s immigration laws.
The process is being managed by regional administrators and the Ministry of Immigration and Population, with support from regional security forces.
Authorities emphasized that these arrests highlight how criminal syndicates are exploiting border regions like Kayin State to establish bases for illegal online gambling networks that victimize individuals across Asia.
Myanmar’s law enforcement agencies have significantly ramped up operations throughout 2025 in direct response to a surge in cybercrime and unlawful migration.
Between January 30 and October 26, a total of 9,964 foreign nationals were detained for illegal entry. Of these, 9,339 people have already been successfully repatriated through Thailand following rigorous identity verification.
The remaining 625 individuals are currently in custody, awaiting coordination between Myanmar authorities and their respective foreign embassies.
The crackdown highlights how cybercrime, illegal betting, and scam networks have become tightly interwoven across Asia, often using digital platforms to run fraud schemes and launder money.
Myanmar officials reaffirmed their dedication to regional cooperation, calling for stronger alliances and collective intelligence-sharing with neighboring countries like Thailand, China, and India.
The arrests in Kayin State demonstrate Myanmar’s determination to act decisively, raising questions about the need for a unified regional framework to combat these borderless digital crime networks.
