Global Crackdown Targets Myawaddy’s Criminal Scam Network
MYAWADDY, MYANMAR—The Myanmar Border Guard Force (BGF) has launched a major operation targeting online scam operations in the Myawaddy region. BGF Commander Colonel Saw Chit Thu (also known as Colonel Maung Chit Thu) announced the initiative at a February 17, 2025, press conference at BGF headquarters. This represents a significant escalation in efforts to dismantle illicit networks operating in the area, a known hub for online fraud and human trafficking.
Colonel Chit Thu’s ambitious plan includes cooperation with Thai and Chinese authorities. The first repatriation of Chinese nationals is scheduled for February 20, with the entire operation projected to conclude by month’s end. This coordinated international effort highlights the gravity of the situation and the commitment to combating these criminal enterprises. The operation will focus on key areas: KK Park, Myawaddy, and Shwe Kokko. Detainees will be transferred to Myawaddy for processing by Myanmar Police Department officers dispatched from Naypyidaw.
This crackdown follows a February 14 BGF operation screening over 600 foreign nationals in a nine-story building within the Yatai New City project in Shwe Kokko. This building’s location—opposite Thailand’s Wang Kaew village in Mae Sot district, Tak province—underscores the cross-border nature of these criminal networks. This inspection served as a precursor to the larger operation and signaled a marked shift in the BGF’s stance. Previously, the BGF faced accusations of complicity or inaction, making this assertive action noteworthy.
The BGF’s announcement coincides with intensified efforts by Thailand. Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) recently concluded a three-hour meeting with prosecutors from the Office of Human Trafficking Cases, submitting a second batch of evidence related to ongoing investigations. This follows an earlier request for additional evidence to support arrest warrant applications for Colonel Chit Thu and his associates on human trafficking charges.
Adding complexity, Colonel Chit Thu is under DSI investigation concerning a 2022 case involving eight Indian nationals, potentially involving human trafficking. These investigations raise serious questions about the BGF’s involvement in the very activities it now claims to combat, suggesting a complex interplay of power and influence.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the operation’s efficacy and whether it represents a genuine turning point in the fight against illegal online operations and human trafficking in this volatile border region. International cooperation and ongoing investigations suggest potential for significant disruption to these criminal networks. However, the involvement of high-ranking officials like Colonel Chit Thu raises concerns about the problem’s depth and reach.
