Mandalay Region completely suspends over 470,000 SIM cards used for online gambling and scams

■ Measures are being taken to cut off and control financial flows used in online fraud and gambling operations. In Mandalay Region, over 470,000 SIM cards used for online scams and gambling have been completely suspended, and financial flows used in online fraud and gambling operations are being cut off and controlled, according to the response of the Minister of Security and Border Affairs in the assembly. At the 4th regular session of the Mandalay Region Assembly held on September 24, Daw Phyo Thandar, the regional assembly representative (No. 2) for Maha Aung Myay Township, asked, "We are seeing that online scam operations, known as 'Japant', and illegal slot game gambling operations that utilize technology within Mandalay Region are threatening the lives of the public, including the youth. Specifically, through platforms widely used by the public such as Viber, SMS, and Telegram, unknown phone numbers are sending messages daily, enticing people with promises of good income, job opportunities, and profits from playing slot games, and we are seeing with concern that people are being deceived. These illegal operations are not only infiltrating border areas but also urban areas, committing fraud, human trafficking, and other criminal offenses. Therefore, it is extremely important for the rule of law and the security of the lives, property, and assets of the public within the region, and we have identified that the public is suffering harm. Therefore, we want to know how special operations are being carried out within Mandalay Region, how financial flows are being cut off and controlled through various mobile banking payments, how communication networks are being managed in cooperation with relevant departments, and how public awareness campaigns and effective systems for safe reporting are being implemented to prevent public harm." In response to the question, Minister of Security and Border Affairs, Colonel Ne Lin Soe, stated, "We are taking measures to prevent the operation of 'Japant' online scam operations and illegal slot gambling operations that utilize technology within Mandalay Region. In 2024, under Section 33(d)/38 of the Electronic Communications Law, we filed cases and took action against 116 suspects in total, including 59 males, 46 females, and 11 Chinese males. In 2025, under Section 33(d)/38 of the Electronic Communications Law, we filed 2 cases and took action against 5 suspects in total, including 4 males and 1 female. In 2026, under Section 33(d)/38 of the Electronic Communications Law, we filed 4 cases and took action against 42 suspects in total, including 14 males, 15 females, and 11 Chinese males and 12 Chinese females. As a preventive measure against 'Japant' and illegal gambling games, we are searching and investigating online gambling websites and applications that are spreading on Facebook, Telegram, and social networks, and blocking their servers and IP addresses. We are also identifying abnormal sending patterns, such as sending the same text message to 60 phone numbers within one hour or to 1,000 phone numbers within 24 hours, from a single phone number distributing SMS messages for online gambling, and blocking these phone numbers through the automatic blocking policy of the respective mobile network operators' systems. In August 2026, we completely suspended over 470,000 suspicious SIM cards. The Online Fraud Law was approved and promulgated on July 31, 2026, and we are implementing it in accordance with the legal provisions concerning online fraud. To trace and identify financial flows used in online fraud and gambling operations, we are cooperating with relevant financial institutions for investigation and prosecution, cutting off and controlling financial flows through various mobile banking payments, controlling and blocking in accordance with the law, gathering intelligence, and accelerating arrests."