Some Africans and East Africans fall victim to online scams in Myawaddy, interim government says illegal structures in Shwe Kokko and KK Park are being demolished

Some individuals from the African continent and East Africa, who entered the country through illegal routes via neighboring countries, have fallen victim to human trafficking and scams at online fraud and gambling sites in Myanmar, according to the interim government. Seven individuals from the African continent, including two Ethiopians, one Namibian, and one Liberian, and two from East African Burundi and one Ugandan, totaling seven, along with five Chinese nationals, were discovered within online fraud and gambling establishments in Myawaddy town, Karen State. Personal information and records are being compiled and investigated to facilitate the repatriation of these individuals to their home countries, as reported in the interim government's official newspapers on June 30. It is known that a total of 14,730 foreign nationals who entered Myawaddy Township illegally from January 30, 2025, to June 29, 2026, have been detained, and 13,553 of them have been repatriated via Thailand. Furthermore, out of the remaining 1,177 foreign nationals, 662 have been punished and prosecuted under Myanmar's immigration laws, as well as laws related to narcotics and psychotropic substances, according to the interim government. They are also promoting that they are cooperating with neighboring countries and international organizations to identify and arrest foreign nationals who are pulling the strings from behind the scenes. In addition, illegal structures in the Shwe Kokko and KK Park areas, where online fraud and gambling establishments are located, are being systematically demolished. Yesterday, June 29, a seven-story building was demolished by explosives, and 77 structures remain to be demolished, the interim government stated. Photo – MOI