The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that more batches of Chinese nationals suspected of fraud-related crimes are set to be repatriated from Myanmar to China. The first group of 200 suspects arrived in China from Myanmar via Thailand under the protection of Chinese police on Thursday.
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun highlighted the collaborative efforts between China, Thailand, and Myanmar in tackling crimes such as online gambling and scams along the Thailand-Myanmar border. \"We appreciate the strong steps taken by Thailand and Myanmar to dismantle the scam gangs and protect the life and property of citizens from China and other countries,\" Guo stated.
Guo emphasized that online gambling and scams harm everyone and will be prosecuted by law. He assured that China remains committed to working with international partners to combat cross-border crimes and safeguard the rights and well-being of its citizens.
The suspects were initially taken to Thailand's Mae Sot, near the Myawaddy border, before being flown back to China on chartered flights, arriving in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province.
The Chinese Ministry of Public Security reported that Thailand has taken significant measures by cutting off electricity, internet, and fuel to Myawaddy, alongside increased patrols to prevent illegal border crossings. Myanmar has also intensified its efforts by raiding telecom fraud operations in Myawaddy, arresting suspects, and rescuing Chinese nationals trapped in scam schemes.
Recent years have seen heightened cooperation from Chinese authorities to combat these widespread crimes. Earlier this month, a court in Zhejiang Province prosecuted 23 individuals, including key members of major telecom fraud groups based in northern Myanmar, on charges ranging from fraud and intentional homicide to drug trafficking and organizing prostitution.
According to the Supreme People's Procuratorate, over 67,000 individuals were charged with telecom and online fraud nationwide between January and November 2024, marking a 58.5% increase year-on-year. Since July 2023, more than 53,000 Chinese suspects involved in telecom and internet fraud from northern Myanmar have been apprehended.
Stay tuned to amigonews.net for more updates on this ongoing operation and other relevant news.
Reference(s):
MOFA: More fraud suspects to be repatriated from Myanmar to China
cgtn.com
