28 involved in online scams including foreigners arrested in Mandalay with around 600 phones

Twenty-eight individuals involved in online scams, including foreigners, were arrested in Mandalay city on September 2, along with approximately 600 mobile phones and related items, according to information from the regional police chief's office. Acting on information, authorities searched a house located between 80th Street and 39th and 40th Streets in the Maha Aung Myay Township. There, they arrested two Chinese nationals, one Malaysian national, four Indonesian nationals, and 20 others, including Myanmar nationals, along with about 80 mobile phones, 28 desktop computers, laptops, Wi-Fi routers, and related accessories. Following further investigation based on their statements, a search was conducted at a gemstone trading business near 68th and 101st Streets in Maha Aung Myay Township, where two more individuals were found. Based on their confessions, another search was carried out at a hotel near 42nd and 66th Streets, resulting in the seizure of 6 individuals, 498 mobile phones, various related items including computers, jade beads, bracelets, bangles, statues of U Tee Pwa, jade necklaces believed to be imitation, and jewelry. The Maha Aung Myay Township Police Chief explained the incident, stating, "When we arrived upon receiving the tip, they were already loading their belongings onto a car to flee. Initially, we made arrests at the house on 80th Street. Based on subsequent investigative findings, we apprehended nearly 500 mobile phones on a car at the hotel. The main activity was online fraud. They were making Malaysians and Indonesians conduct live streams to scam people by selling jade. Their accomplices would then buy through comments using multiple accounts. When money was transferred from such fraudulent sales, the accounts were blocked. We also found narcotics, and investigations into the connections are ongoing." Consequently, they have been arrested and are being investigated at the Maha Aung Myay Myoma Police Station under Section 33(a)/38 of the Electronic Communications Law. One Chinese national found with narcotics has been charged under Section 16(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, and also under Section 13(1) of the Immigration Act.