Myanmar has arrested 330 Chinese nationals during a large-scale operation targeting online financial fraud and illegal gambling in Shan State, as reported by The Global New Light of Myanmar. The arrests form part of a national campaign to combat cross-border telecom scams, which officials say increasingly rely on remote compounds and rapidly shifting operations.
Security forces intensified both aerial and ground surveillance in Mongyai township, located in northern Shan State, after earlier seizures in the region. At around 7 am on Tuesday, authorities discovered a cluster of suspicious structures approximately 35 kilometres southeast of Mongyai, near Haikpu Village. The site was identified as an active hub for online scam activity.
According to officials, the compound included temporary buildings made from green tarpaulin sheets and several structures still under construction. Inside, officers found extensive equipment used to facilitate fraudulent operations, including 208 mobile phones, 86 all-in-one computers, seven laptops, 23 Starlink devices and two generators. Ten vehicles were also seized on-site.
Of those detained, 321 were men and nine were women, all believed to be directly involved in online scam or gambling activities. Authorities stated that all seized equipment would be processed according to established procedures, while every individual would undergo verification before facing prosecution.
Myanmar’s government said the operation underscores its commitment to preventing online fraud networks from gaining a foothold inside the country. Officials emphasised that suppression efforts rely heavily on cooperation with neighbouring governments, given the cross-border nature of many syndicates.
The raid marks the latest in a series of enforcement actions across northern Myanmar, where scam compounds have proliferated in recent years amid wider regional crackdowns. Authorities said further operations will continue as part of an ongoing national effort to dismantle illicit online networks.
Authorities seized more than 200 mobile phones and over 80 computers during the raid
