Myanmar Spring Chronicle – February 20 Perspective
MoeMaKa, February 21, 2025
The Suppression of Online Scams in Myawaddy and the Junta’s Losses & Gains
Since the end of 2024, Myawaddy Township has become a focal point due to the crackdown on online scam operations, their associated armed groups, and the increasing pressure from China and Thailand. The restrictions on electricity, internet, fuel, and electronic equipment imports into Myawaddy have escalated, impacting the armed groups that previously protected these online scam operations. As their survival became uncertain, these groups gradually stopped fully shielding these illicit businesses and instead chose to cooperate to some extent with the Chinese and Thai governments in their crackdown.
Until recent weeks, armed groups like the Border Guard Force (BGF) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), which had been protecting scam operations, maintained ambiguity about the situation within their controlled areas.
These armed groups had long turned a blind eye to the online scam centers run by Chinese nationals. These businesses lured workers under false pretenses, and once they arrived, they were not easily released. Victims were either forced to pay ransom or were sold to other criminal syndicates. Many were tortured or even killed. Despite these atrocities, the armed groups publicly denied involvement, claiming they only collected rent from these businesses while denying any official approval.
However, due to mounting pressure from China, affected nations, and international organizations, the Karen State-based armed groups soon realized the crackdown was more serious than they had anticipated. Thailand, as an economic partner and a country responding to Chinese pressure, also decided to take stronger actions. In the past few days, the BGF and DKBA have come to understand this shift. Reports indicate that Thailand has even considered issuing arrest warrants for some top BGF leaders. As a result, these armed groups have begun demonstrating a willingness to cooperate.
They have pledged to repatriate thousands of scam victims and have started transferring them in numbers exceeding Thailand’s daily intake capacity. Hundreds of victims have been sent back daily, and scam compounds have been raided to rescue trafficked individuals. However, no major scam leaders have been arrested or handed over yet—only the forced labor victims have been repatriated.
The armed groups appear to be assessing the situation, allowing scam ringleaders time to escape while showcasing cooperation with Thai authorities. These developments highlight the dilemma they face: whether to continue shielding scam operations or abandon them to ensure their own survival. The latter choice seems to be prevailing.
For over a decade, the BGF operated under the Myanmar military’s command while profiting from illegal businesses. However, after losing significant territory in Myawaddy last year, the group attempted to establish independence from the junta. Now, as they distance themselves from scam operations, they face an uncertain future.
Meanwhile, the junta appears indifferent to its lack of control over Myawaddy’s criminal activities, seemingly content to collect taxes at official border trade posts. Unlike China and Thailand, which are taking active measures against scams, the junta has remained passive. In some repatriation events, scam victims were handed over directly by armed groups without any involvement from the Myanmar government, highlighting the junta’s diminishing authority in the region.
The crackdown led by China, Thailand, and Myanmar’s non-state actors could inadvertently provide the junta with an opportunity to regain some control over Myawaddy. However, whether it can capitalize on this remains uncertain.