777 involved in online scam and gambling arrested in Myawaddy Township, Kyauk Khat region, along with business-related items

■Clashes occurred with KNLA and PDF groups that were providing protection to online scam and gambling perpetrators during the arrest operation. It has been learned that 777 individuals involved in online scam and gambling in the Kyauk Khat region of Myawaddy Township, Karen State, were arrested along with business-related items. It was also learned that during this arrest operation, clashes occurred with KNLA and PDF groups that were receiving payment to protect the online scam and gambling perpetrators. The State government is prioritizing activities to combat online fraud and online gambling. It is engaged in search and suppression operations, in coordination with neighboring countries' governments, to ensure that these activities cannot establish a foothold within the country. Furthermore, it is undertaking the complete demolition and destruction of illegal structures that were used as bases for online scam and gambling operations, to prevent their reuse. To prevent individuals involved in online scam and gambling from residing in and operating within certain areas, and to stop online scam and gambling activities, the Tatmadaw (military) columns are conducting ground intelligence gathering within their respective territories. With the cooperation and information provided by responsible local residents, they are carrying out operations to combat online fraud. In Karen State, Myawaddy Township, Tatmadaw columns responsible for regional security received information that illegal online scam and gambling operations were based in the Kyauk Khat region. They conducted necessary regional security operations, and on July 25th, within the region, they arrested a total of 777 individuals – 620 Chinese men, 11 Chinese women, 3 Thai women, 32 Myanmar men, and 111 Myanmar women – who were engaged in online scam and gambling within seven single-story tin-roofed buildings and one three-story tin-roofed building used for these activities. They were apprehended along with one Starlink dish, 85 various computers, and 183 various phones used in the online scam and gambling operations. To identify and arrest those engaged in these online scam and gambling operations, the Tatmadaw columns began preparations and organizational efforts in Lay Kay Kaw on July 6th and conducted regional security operations. Clashes occurred with KNLA and PDF terrorist joint groups, who were receiving payment to protect the online scam and gambling perpetrators, at approximately 2000 meters south of Yathegu Village in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, on July 9th; approximately 5500 meters southeast of Lay Kay Kaw on July 12th; approximately 8600 meters southeast of Lay Kay Kaw on July 16th; approximately 10000 meters southeast of Lay Kay Kaw on July 21st; and near the Myanmar-Thailand border approximately 7000 meters south of Min Lae Pan Village on July 25th. It was learned that the structures used in these illegal online scam and gambling operations and the individuals involved in their commission were arrested as described. During these operations, clashes occurred with the terrorists, and from the terrorist joint groups, 13 bodies, 9 assorted weapons, ammunition, solidly constructed concrete bunkers, living tents, and related equipment were seized. It has been learned that after the necessary investigations are completed for the arrested individuals involved in these online scam and gambling operations, they will be dealt with severely and strictly in accordance with existing laws. The seized business-related items will also be processed according to established procedures. The State is continuing to place special emphasis on combating online scam and gambling operations, in cooperation with neighboring countries, regional countries, and international organizations, to eradicate such activities and prevent them from being established within Myanmar.